The Verge reviews early features of iOS 27 developer beta
Apple’s latest software update brings granular control over Liquid Glass transparency and independent volume settings, though AI features remain on hold for early testers.
A reviewer for The Verge has tested the first iOS 27 developer beta on an iPhone 16 Pro, identifying several non-AI enhancements in the new operating system. The review, published following the WWDC 2026 announcement, notes that while the update may not be as feature-heavy as previous iterations, the polish of the user interface is already evident.
Key among the improvements is a new opacity slider for the Liquid Glass interface, which was originally introduced in iOS 26. This control allows users to adjust the transparency of elements such as tab bars, enabling them to make interfaces more clear or frosty to better view content underneath. The reviewer noted that this addition significantly improves the usability of the design language established last year.
Icon designs have also received subtle refinements, with tweaks to colours and the addition of glassy textures intended to create a more polished aesthetic. Alongside these visual updates, the software introduces independent volume controls within the Sounds & Haptics menu. Users can now decouple ringtones, alarms, timers, alerts, and system sounds, allowing for more granular audio management than was previously available.
Functionality has been expanded with the introduction of an extra-large widget size, which can occupy an entire screen of apps, excluding the dock. The reviewer suggested this could be particularly useful for displaying full calendars or extensive to-do lists. Additionally, Lock Screen editing now permits the time to be positioned next to the date at the top of the screen, freeing up space to maximise wallpaper visibility.
Despite the focus on artificial intelligence for the broader iOS 27 rollout, the reviewer remains on Apple’s waitlist for Siri AI access. Consequently, the initial assessment is based solely on the available interface and utility features. The testing period was limited to a few hours, and the reviewer cautioned that subjective preferences regarding UI adjustments may not reflect the experience of all users.
