It's no secret that I'm excited about iOS 18. Despite my lack of interest in AI, Apple Intelligence looks more exciting—featuring privacy, security, and tools to assist with my daily smartphone habits. Even without Apple's biggest presentation during WWDC 2024 being available right now, the iOS 18 Beta proves that this update is a step in the right direction.
Although the iOS 18 release date is set for September, bringing the iOS 18 AI features along with it, the update is available in a limited fashion through the Apple Developer program. I've had the chance to explore the iOS 18 Developer Beta, and honestly, I'm very pleased with iPhone's next big update so far.
The biggest feature (aside from Apple Intelligence) is the increased freedom to customize your home screen. While Android has offered this for countless years, Apple's approach is more controlled. You can enlarge all your app icons, hide their titles, switch to dark mode, or even tint them a completely different color. Unfortunately, you can't change the color of individual apps, which can make some apps look less appealing compared to their default appearance.
However, I really enjoy being able to place app icons wherever I want on the home page (within reason). It's great to have a clear view of my wallpaper without a clutter of apps or folders in the way, yet still keep my favorite apps readily available on the home screen. Although the layout is still confined to the standard 4x6 grid, it's a significant improvement while maintaining a nice and functional design.
Locking apps behind Face ID is surprisingly one of the best features of iOS 18. When it was announced at WWDC, I didn't think much of it, but using it has shown me how useful it can truly be. If you have sensitive documents or apps that you want to secure beyond just the device's Face ID or passcode, this new feature is excellent. I've used it to lock my banking and email apps, and it's still easy to access them despite the additional security step.
Unfortunately, I'm not a fan of the new Control Center, a UI element that becomes controversial with every redesign. This time around, Apple have opted to make it fully customizable, adding multiple menus as opposed the sole one in prior updates, adding additional effort while taking away from Apple's long-praised approach to simplicity.
It might have its place once I get used to it, but it feels more awkward to close now. I'm accustomed to quickly swiping down to unlock/lock auto-rotate or turn on Bluetooth, and this update has made it more tedious to close. It's no longer as simple as swiping up from any part of the screen, as it now takes you to other pages. It's customizable, but the default version after updating is disappointing.
There are a few small but notable features in this update that enhance the experience. Optimized battery charging lets you limit your maximum charge between 80-100%, and the advertised Game Mode seamlessly launches when opening games like Marvel Snap or Squadbusters (although I haven't noticed significant improvements yet). I still need to spend more time with the Passwords app that Apple introduced with the update, but it seems decent so far.
I've had no issues with bugs or glitches on my iPhone 15 Pro Max, and while some people report a drop in battery life during developer betas, I haven't experienced any problems with my battery draining quickly. Honestly, I'm seriously impressed with this update, as it allows me to tweak my iPhone more without the complexity of Android design.
It remains to be seen whether Apple can deliver on Apple Intelligence and the upcoming iOS 18 AI features. However, this first release of the iOS 18 Beta feels great and represents a huge step forward for iPhones.