I never use a new iPhone until I change these settings - why they're such a big deal
ZDNET's Elyse Betters Picaro lists the iPhone settings she changes first, from Liquid Glass and Control Center to Dark Mode and Back Tap.
Intelligence analysis by GPT-5.4 Mini
The article is a practical first-setup checklist for iPhones. It argues Apple ships a solid device, but several defaults are too noisy, hard to read, or battery-hungry, so the author immediately tweaks system settings and hidden shortcuts.
A new iPhone is like a bike that comes with the seat too high and the bell in the wrong place. The article says a few quick changes make it easier to see, easier to use, and less annoying.
Analysis
What the author changes first
The article is built around a simple premise: a new iPhone works well out of the box, but it works better after a few targeted changes. The author says the default setup can be annoying, visually busy, or less efficient than it could be, so she treats first-day setup as a chance to make the phone fit her habits.
Among the first adjustments is Liquid Glass. She says the translucent look can make text and controls harder to read, so she tones it down through display and accessibility settings. She also notes that the home screen customization menu can change the feel of the interface more broadly.
The next cluster is about convenience. Control Center is presented as a fast-launch hub for things like Low Power Mode, Dark Mode, screen recording, flashlight, timer, calculator, and VPN. She also adds Lock Screen widgets and changes the corner buttons so common apps and actions are available before the phone is even unlocked.
Hidden controls and comfort settings
The article then moves to features that are easy to overlook but useful in daily use. The Action Button is recommended as something worth assigning to a practical task, such as camera, flashlight, or a shortcut. Back Tap is another shortcut layer, especially useful on older phones without the Action Button.
She also turns on Dark Mode and Night Shift, describing them as easier on the eyes and potentially better for battery life on OLED screens. Finally, she keeps keyboard haptics on while turning off keyboard sounds, showing that the goal is not just aesthetics but a quieter, more pleasant interaction.
The provided excerpt ends as she starts discussing keyboard sound settings, so the full list may continue beyond the visible text.
Key points
- The author argues a new iPhone is best after a few setup changes.
- She tones down Liquid Glass because it can hurt readability.
- Control Center, Lock Screen widgets, Action Button, and Back Tap are framed as useful shortcuts.
- Dark Mode, Night Shift, and keyboard haptics are presented as comfort and usability tweaks.
- The article emphasizes that defaults are good, but not necessarily ideal for every user.
If more people customize these settings right away, the iPhone can feel more personal and easier to use from day one. The article suggests the phone already has the right tools; the gain comes from putting them in the right places.
The downside is that getting the phone to feel right still takes time and effort. Some useful features are buried in menus, so users may keep living with annoying defaults until they learn where the settings are.
