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ZDNET’s key takeaways
- iOS 27 has several smaller changes worth noting.
- Some iOS 27 updates got little or no WWDC attention.
- The beta includes practical updates beyond Siri AI.
At WWDC 26, Apple spent the majority of its time talking about Siri AI and other Apple Intelligence upgrades. Unsurprisingly, they’re the highlight of iOS 27. After all, they aim to enhance your user experience. However, certain features got a brief mention or no mention at all, and they are interesting perks, especially for older generations of iPhones.
Also: Every iPhone model that supports the iOS 27 update (and which older ones don’t)
I installed the iOS 27 Developer Beta soon after WWDC, and these are some of the relatively small features that are big improvements, depending on the way you use your iPhone.
1. Save a frame from video
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There are times when I take a screenshot of a specific frame from a video to share on social media or make a funny sticker out of it. But with iOS 27, I can simply extract that frame out of the video with a few taps. I no longer need to take a screenshot, resize it to dismiss the black borders on the top and bottom, and then save it to have a usable frame.
Also: Your iPhone may support Channel Sounding via Bluetooth with iOS 27 – and it’s a big deal
On iOS 27, you can play a video, tap on the three-dot menu in the top-right corner, and select Save Video Frame as Photo. It’ll then extract the frame and save it as a photo in your gallery.
However, it compresses the image, so you aren’t getting a GoPro-like 24MP photo from the video feature. I’ve noticed screenshot file sizes ranging from 6MB to 9MB, whereas the same frame is extracted as a 500KB image. I didn’t see a major difference in quality. It is essentially saving you space while giving you a similar-quality photo.
2. Lock screen enhancements
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If you’re like me and don’t like a big clock occupying most of the lock screen, you’ll be happy to know that it is getting visual upgrades with iOS 27. It allows you to add a smaller lock screen clock with the date and time displayed in a single row at the top. You can also add widgets in a row at the bottom, so it is a cleaner look with more of your wallpaper and fewer convoluted numbers.
Also: How to download the iOS 27 developer beta (and which iPhone models support it)
Plus, media playback controls are now dismissible on the lock screen. On my iPhone 17 Pro running iOS 26, I have to close the app itself (YouTube Music or Apple TV) if I do not want to wait for the system to automatically remove it from my lock screen later. With the new generation of iOS, you can simply swipe away the playback controller like notifications on the lock screen. It is a relatively minor feature, but I’ve been wanting it for years.
3. Fine-tuning the location sharing features on Find My
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Apple will allow you to share your location with others for a custom duration using Find My. With iOS 27, you’ll be able to select a more flexible duration, like a number of minutes, hours, or days. You can even set a date and time for when you’d like the location to stop being shared.
Also: iOS 27 envy? 4 features you can already use on an Android phone (including Samsung models)
It’ll be helpful for times when you’re off to buy presents for a loved one but don’t want them to know your location for a specific part of your day. So far, I’ve relied on WhatsApp to share my location with my family and friends, but Find My’s flexible options can potentially convert me to use Apple’s own app — pulling me further into the ecosystem.
4. Connectivity Assist
This is one of the most useful upgrades on iOS 27, at least for me, because I live in a patchy network area. I frequently struggle to get reliable connectivity between Wi-Fi and 5G. Typically, switching your iPhone between Wi-Fi and cellular networks requires swiping down to access the Control Center and manually turning off Wi-Fi.
Also: The two biggest iOS 27 features at WWDC for me had nothing to do with Siri AI
The new Connectivity Assist feature can automatically use cellular data alongside Wi-Fi to keep things running smoothly. It can help your iPhone get more reliable speeds and maintain a faster connection. You can enable this feature by going to Settings > Wi-Fi > and selecting Connectivity Assist.
5. Additional features for AirPods Pro 3
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Apple announced custom EQ support for AirPods with its new update. It will let you fine-tune your sound for the first time on Apple earbuds. However, that’s not the best upgrade. The company is also adding GymKit support to the AirPods Pro 3.
Also: Everything announced at Apple WWDC 2026 – including Siri, iOS 27 dev beta, and more
This means you’ll be able to pair them to compatible cardio equipment, treadmills, ellipticals, and exercise bikes — like the Apple Watch — making its heart rate sensor more useful than ever. It will help you keep track of metrics like pace, heart rate, and more.
Other than these five features, I’m enjoying the new look of my iPhone on iOS 27. It has helped me adjust the Liquid Glass transparency for a more pleasing-looking interface. I’m still using the beta and will update this story as and when I find new, lesser-known features.
