I’ve tried almost every feature of iOS 27, and these 3 are why I’m still happy with the update.

It’s been a little over a week since Apple’s WWDC keynote, and the iOS 27 beta is already out in the wild. While Apple spent a lot of time talking about its Siri with Gemini, what I was most excited about was getting the update on my iPhone 16e and seeing what it was like to live with it.

I’ve been using the beta every day since then, and one thing has become abundantly clear: not all new features live up to the hype for me. Some felt more interesting at the time of the announcement than in everyday use, while others have not found a place in my schedule. But a few factors have been the complete opposite. They are the ones I found myself returning to again and again without even thinking about it. After spending more than a week with iOS 27, these are the three features that stand out the most — and the biggest reason I’m still excited about the update.

A fitness app that finally feels like a fitness app

I am a fitness enthusiast. Whether it’s squeezing in a workout after a long day or making sure I close my Activity rings, I’m always looking at my progress. That’s why the fitness app is one of the apps I use the most on my iPhone, and honestly, I felt it was time for an update. The old design wasn’t bad by any means. It was clean, comfortable, and easy to navigate. But it also felt static, especially compared to modern fitness apps that do a much better job of making your workout data sound engaging and meaningful. There was a lot of information there, but not always in the most exciting way.

The redesigned workout experience in iOS 27 changes that. Everything feels better organized, and the information I care about is easier to see at a glance. More importantly, the app ends up feeling like it’s built around the practice itself rather than a data repository. For example, I walked 10km this morning, and one of the first things I noticed afterwards was how brightly my route map was displayed. Instead of digging through the menus to find it, the map was right there, front and center. It reminded me of the presentation you would expect from fitness apps like Strava. This isn’t a huge change in iOS 27, but it makes reviewing workouts feel more rewarding. That’s really what I love about redesign. The fitness app finally feels more alive. Rather than just showing me numbers and charts, it does a better job of highlighting moments and milestones that make performance feel satisfying.

The cleaning tool finally cleaned up its act

I never thought I’d be talking about photo editing tools as one of my favorite parts of iOS 27, but here we are. The updated Cleanup tool and the new Reframe feature meant I spent more time editing photos directly on my iPhone 16e. And honestly, that’s saying something. Before this update, Apple’s Cleanup tool was one of those features that I wanted to like but rarely used. Compared to the uninstall tools on Pixel and Samsung phones, it tends to tackle anything more complex than simple background clutter. The results were stunning, and most of the time I’d rather leave the image alone than risk making it look worse. Thankfully, that has changed.

Over the past week, I’ve used Cleanup on everything from random objects in the background to people accidentally walking into a shot, and the results have been surprisingly good. One example that really impressed me was when I was trying to remove a book that was partially covering my face in a photo. I expected that the tool would leave behind a dull mess or distort my face. Instead, he removed the book so cleanly and rebuilt the lost space that it appeared as if the book had never existed in the first place.

For the first time, Apple’s Cleanup tool feels reliable enough that I want to use it. The new Reframe feature is interesting for a different reason. Using artificial intelligence, it can adjust the frame of a photo after it’s taken, giving you more flexibility if you haven’t hit the nail on the head. I can’t see myself reaching for it every day, but that’s okay. It sounds like a feature you’ll appreciate when you need it, rather than one you’ll use regularly. And that’s what I love about both add-ons. One solves a problem I run into every so often, and the other acts as a safety net for times when the image isn’t framed the way I want it to be.

The whole “what’s that?” now you have the answer

Of all the new AI-powered additions in iOS 27, on-screen awareness is probably the one I’ve used the most. And yes, when you hear about it, you will think, “Wait, isn’t this just a search circle?” Honestly, that’s not a bad comparison. Circle Search is easily one of my favorite features on my Google Pixel 10a. I use it all the time. If I’m scrolling through Pinterest and see a chair I’d like to buy, I can search right away. If I watch a YouTube video and notice the sneakers someone is wearing, I can quickly figure out what they are. Sometimes I’ll come across a landmark in a travel reel, a gadget in a review video, or even an unfamiliar dish in a food post, and Search Circle gives me the answers in seconds without forcing me to switch apps or start a new search from scratch.

That’s why I’ve grown to love screen awareness on the iPhone. Instead of manually copying text, taking screenshots, or opening Safari to search for something, I can simply ask Siri about what’s currently on my screen. For example, when I read an article, I used it to learn more about the company mentioned in the article. When browsing online stores, I use it to identify products and compare them to similar options. I even found myself using it while planning a trip after seeing a place posted on social media and wanting to learn more about it. What makes the feature feel useful is that it understands both visual and written information on your screen. Siri can analyze what you’re looking at and use that context to answer questions or help you do something. Apple also opens this up to developers through dedicated APIs, allowing apps to expose relevant information that Siri can understand and interact with. This feature removes many bits of friction throughout the day. And those are often the features that seem to matter most.

A week later, these are still my favorites

I’m still spending time with iOS 27 on my iPhone 16e, and if there’s one thing I’ve learned in the past week, it’s that the best features aren’t always what they’re advertised to be. Sometimes it’s the little additions that become part of your daily routine. For me, that’s exactly what happened with these three features. Whether it’s a revamped Fitness app that makes my workout data more fun to revisit, an improved Cleanup tool to save photos I couldn’t ignore, or on-screen notifications that help me find information without jumping between apps, they’ve all found a place in my daily use.

There’s still plenty of iOS 27 to explore, and I’m sure I’ll find more favorites as I continue to use the beta. But if you’re wondering which features stand out after a week of real-world use, these are the ones I’ll point out first.