Apple's first iOS 27 developer beta keeps its next-generation AI dictation feature disabled by default, requiring users to manually activate it. The company claims the LLM-powered system offers significantly better accuracy while handling capitalization and punctuation automatically. This represents Apple's push toward more sophisticated on-device AI processing.

The advanced dictation relies on Apple's new on-device 'AFM Core Advanced' model, which demands substantial hardware. Only iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone Air, second-generation Vision Pro, M4 iPad models and later, and M3 Macs with 12GB RAM or more can support it. This hardware gating suggests Apple is prioritizing performance over broad compatibility.

To enable the feature, users must open Settings, navigate to General > Keyboards, and toggle on 'Advanced Dictation Preview.' Once activated, it works system-wide across all apps using the keyboard. The on-device processing means transcription quality remains consistent regardless of network connectivity.

Apple hasn't confirmed whether the preview will remain opt-in when iOS 27 launches publicly. The cautious rollout reflects Apple's typical approach to testing major AI features through its developer community before wider release.