I have been eagerly waiting for the release of iOS 18 (beta), and I finally tested it out. Safe to say, I was not disappointed.
This latest beta update has made everyday tasks more intuitive and enjoyable, and best of all, customisable. Here’s a look at how iOS 18 (beta) has improved my daily routine.
Lock Screen and Interface Customization
One of the standout features of iOS 18 (beta) is the enhanced customization options. The ability to rearrange apps and widgets on my Home and Lock Screen has allowed me to create a layout that perfectly suits my needs.
The new Dark look for app icons and widgets adds a sleek, modern touch, and the option to tint them with colours that complement my wallpaper adds a personal flair.
Additionally, the ability to lock and hide specific apps with Face ID has given me peace of mind, ensuring my sensitive information remains secure when sharing my device with others.
Control Center Changes
The redesigned Control Center in iOS 18 (beta) has made it easier to access and customize controls. The new groups of controls and the ability to add more from the Controls gallery mean that everything I need is just a swipe away.
I can now resize controls and build custom groups, making my Control Center both functional and aesthetically pleasing.
Organizing and Reliving Memories in Photos
The Photos app received a major overhaul in iOS 18 (beta), and it’s now easier than ever to organize and relive my favourite moments. Collections automatically categorize my photos by topics like Recent Days, Trips, and People & Pets, making it simple to find what I’m looking for.
The new Carousel feature, which highlights my best content in a beautiful, poster-like view, is a delightful way to revisit cherished memories. This intuitive organization has made managing my photo library a breeze.
More Engaging Messaging
One of the features I’ve been enjoying in iOS 18 (beta) is the all-new ways to play with text in iMessage. Not only can I use bold, italics, underline, and strikethrough, but I can also add playful, animated effects to any letter, word, phrase, or emoji. It’s great that many of these effects are automatically suggested as I type, making my messages more dynamic and fun without much effort.
Additionally, the ability to use any emoji or sticker for Tapback reactions has allowed me to express myself in more ways than ever. It makes conversations with friends and family even more engaging.
Enhanced Productivity With Notes App
The Notes app has seen significant improvements with iOS 18 (beta). Collapsible sections make it easy to manage my most text-heavy notes while highlighting features that help important information stand out.
The ability to solve mathematical expressions directly within notes has also been a useful addition, streamlining my workflow and boosting my productivity.
Gaming: Enhanced Performance and Immersion
As someone who enjoys gaming on my iPhone, the new Game Mode in iOS 18 (beta) has been a welcome addition.
This feature minimizes background activity to ensure consistently high frame rates, providing a smooth and immersive gaming experience. The reduced audio latency with AirPods and the improved responsiveness of wireless game controllers have made a noticeable difference, particularly in fast-paced games.
Apple Intelligence
On the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max, iOS 18 introduces Apple Intelligence, a feature that tailors its assistance based on your context to provide the most relevant and helpful information. Apple Intelligence enhances writing, focus, and communication with new tools that help you write, summarize longer texts, and prioritize notifications.
You can also create delightful images, craft Genmoji for conversations, or revisit favourite moments with personalized memory movies. Additionally, Siri now offers richer language understanding and a deeper awareness of your context, making it more capable and helpful than ever.
Increased Privacy
One of the features I appreciate most in iOS 18 (beta) is the enhanced privacy and security controls. I love that I can now decide which contacts to share with each app, rather than giving them access to all my contacts. This means I can allow app access only to the people I message and call the most, keeping the rest of my contact list private.
Additionally, the redesigned Privacy and Security settings menu has made managing my data much more straightforward. The new layout is intuitive, allowing me to easily see and adjust how much information I’m sharing with different apps. This added layer of control has given me greater peace of mind when using my iPhone.
Conclusion
To see iOS 18 (beta) in action and learn more about how you can enhance your iPhone experience, be sure to watch my video walkthrough.
Overall, iOS 18 (beta) has significantly enhanced my iPhone experience, making it more personalized, intelligent, and enjoyable. From the improved customization options to the enhanced Photos and apps, every aspect of my daily interaction with the phone has been elevated. I can’t wait till the iOS update goes public for me to try out the full suite of features.
Note: iOS 18 is compatible with iPhone models from the iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 14 Pro Max, iPhone 13, iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13 Pro, iPhone 13 Pro Max, iPhone 12, iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12 Pro, iPhone 12 Pro Max, iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone 11 Pro Max, iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, iPhone XR, and iPhone SE (second generation or later).
However, to fully utilize the upcoming Apple Intelligence features, you will need the A17 Pro chip, available only in the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max.
