iOS 27 beta’s real winners for everyday use

After a week with the iOS 27 beta on an iPhone 16e, three features keep pulling the reviewer back in—an overhauled Fitness app, a suddenly reliable Cleanup tool with a new Reframe option, and “on-screen awareness” that answers everyday questions without leavin

It’s been a little over a week since Apple’s WWDC keynote. and the iOS 27 beta is already out in the wild. Apple spent plenty of time talking about its Gemini-powered Siri. but the reviewer’s first excitement wasn’t about big promises—it was about getting the update onto an iPhone 16e and finding out what it’s actually like to live with.

After using the beta every day since it arrived. one thing has become obvious: not every new feature lands the same way in real life. Some sounded more exciting during the announcement than they feel once you’re in your routine. Others haven’t found a place at all. But three features have done the opposite—they’re the ones the reviewer keeps returning to, even without trying to.

The redesigned Fitness app finally feels built for workouts

The Fitness app is one of the apps the reviewer uses most on their iPhone 16e. largely because they’re always watching progress—like squeezing in a workout after a long day or keeping an eye on Activity rings. The previous version wasn’t a disaster. It was clean, familiar, and easy to navigate. Still, it felt “static,” especially compared with modern fitness apps that make workout data feel more meaningful.

The iOS 27 redesign changes that. The workout experience is reorganized so the information the reviewer cares about is easier to spot at a glance. More than that, it feels like it’s centered on the workout itself rather than simply storing data.

The reviewer noticed this during a 10km run. After the workout, the route map stood out immediately. Instead of digging through menus to find it, the map was displayed front and center. They said it reminded them of dedicated fitness apps like Strava—and that’s part of what makes reviewing a workout feel more rewarding. Rather than only numbers and charts, the app better highlights moments and milestones that make working out satisfying.

Cleanup finally earns the trust it never had

The reviewer didn’t expect to count photo editing as a favorite part of iOS 27. But the updated Cleanup tool—and the new Reframe feature—have led them to spend more time editing photos directly on their iPhone 16e.

Before this update, the Cleanup tool was something they wanted to like, but rarely used. They compared it to object-removal tools on Pixel and Samsung phones. saying Apple’s approach often struggled with anything more complex than simple background distractions. Results were hit-or-miss, and too often the reviewer would rather leave the photo alone than risk it looking worse.

That’s changed. Over the past week, they 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 stuck with them: removing a book that was partially covering their face. They expected the tool to leave behind a blurry mess or distort their face. Instead, it removed the book cleanly and reconstructed the missing area so well that it looked like the book had never been there.

For the first time, they said, Apple’s Cleanup tool feels reliable enough that they actually want to use it.

Reframe is there when you need it—not as a daily obsession

The new Reframe feature adds a different kind of help. Using generative AI, it can virtually adjust the framing of a photo after it’s been taken, giving the reviewer flexibility when a shot isn’t quite framed the way they wanted.

They don’t expect to use it every day. But they like the way it’s positioned: as a feature you appreciate when you’re in a pinch. not something you constantly reach for. In their view. that’s also true of the Cleanup improvements—one solves a problem that shows up often. while the other acts like a safety net.

On-screen awareness answers the “what is that?” moment

Of the iOS 27 AI-powered additions the reviewer has tried, on-screen awareness is the one they say they used the most. And yes, they admit the feature invites a quick comparison: the first reaction is usually, “Wait— isn’t this just Circle to Search?”

On a Google Pixel 10a, the reviewer already considers Circle to Search a favorite. They describe using it while scrolling through Pinterest to identify a chair they’d want to buy. and while watching a YouTube video to find out what a pair of sneakers someone is wearing. They’ve also used it for landmarks in travel reels. gadgets in review videos. and even unfamiliar dishes in food posts.

In those moments, Circle to Search gives answers quickly without forcing them to switch apps or restart a search.

They see the same idea in on-screen awareness on the iPhone. Instead of copying text, taking screenshots, or opening Safari, they can ask Siri about what’s currently on the screen. They used it while reading an article to learn more about a company mentioned in that article. When browsing online stores, they used it to identify products and compare them with similar options. Even while planning a trip. they used it after spotting a location in a social media post and wanting to learn more about it.

What makes it feel useful, the reviewer says, is that it understands both the visual and textual information on the screen. Siri analyzes what the reviewer is looking at and uses that context to answer questions or help take action.

Apple is also opening this capability to developers through dedicated APIs. allowing apps to expose relevant information that Siri can understand and interact with. The reviewer’s takeaway is that it removes “tiny bits of friction” throughout the day—often the exact kind of features that turn out to matter.

A week later, these three still earn attention

A week into using iOS 27 on their iPhone 16e, the reviewer’s conclusion is simple: the best features aren’t always the ones advertised the loudest. Sometimes they’re the smaller additions that quietly fit into daily routine.

In this case. that routine has been shaped by three things: the refreshed Fitness app making workout data feel more engaging to revisit; the improved Cleanup tool saving photos they would have otherwise ignored; and on-screen awareness helping the reviewer find information without jumping between apps.

There’s still more iOS 27 to explore. The reviewer expects to discover more favorites as the beta continues. But if someone asked what stood out after a week of real-world use, these are the features they would point to first.

iOS 27 beta Apple WWDC iPhone 16e Gemini-powered Siri Fitness app redesign Cleanup tool Reframe feature on-screen awareness Siri APIs generative AI