The 7 best iOS 18 features that will make updating your iPhone worthwhile

Apple announced iOS 18 at its Worldwide Developers Conference in June. Like its competitors, the update is one of the biggest iOS upgrades in years. From much-awaited features in Apple Intelligence to a redesign of the Photos app, there's a lot of new stuff for users and developers alike to dig into. With the launch of iPhone 16, we now have more clarity about the currently available features and the roadmap of upcoming AI upgrades.

Also: Every iPhone model that will be updated to Apple's iOS 18

The latest version of iOS will make your iPhone more customizable with a personalized home screen layout, better Control Center navigation, and updates to key apps like Messages, Mail, and more. Here's all you need to know about iOS 18 and why you should be just as excited as I am.

1. Apple Intelligence on iOS 18

I've been using Apple Intelligence on my iPhone 15 Pro in beta for a while now. It will not roll out with the iPhone 16 lineup but will be available in beta starting next month with iOS 18.1. Apple's competitor to Galaxy AI and Google Gemini has some of the regular features like summarization and Clean Up in Photos (like Magic Eraser) but as a whole, it feels more intuitive than others. 

Also: The 5 best iPhone 16 Pro features that enthusiasts will care about

I've found the notification summary feature to be extremely useful. It can't always be trusted, but it's accurate most of the time. If you receive a lot of emails, messages on WhatsApp and Instagram, and more, this feature helps declutter the notification panel. It summarizes multiple texts/emails in a single notification with a sentence and expands only when you tap on it. You also get the usual writing tools to help summarize content and create images or "Genmojis." 

Apple Intelligence uses Image Playground to help you create images based on descriptions, suggested concepts, or people from your Photos library. You can customize these images with new styles and make changes to add context to your story. The feature is integrated into your iPhone, and Apple states that "it's aware of your personal information without collecting your personal information." The company has partnered with ChatGPT to bring the service to your iPhone. You don't need an account to access ChatGPT, and it will be integrated into your iPhone.  

Also: Every iPhone 16 model compared: Which new iPhone should you buy?

I've also found Apple Intelligence's animations more intuitive than the competition's. Google and Samsung loading screens make me want to exit the screen, but Apple's take keeps me hooked to the screen while the changes process or it creates a Memory Movie. The Clean Up feature in Photos isn't as accurate as Google's Magic Eraser, but I expect it to get better in the stable version. 

While Apple Intelligence is the most prominent addition to iOS 18, not all iPhones will get the feature. It is expected to roll out on the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max alongside the new iPhones; despite iOS 18 being available for iPhone SE (2nd Gen). The feature will launch in US English first, and will be expanded to support localized English in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, and the U.K. in December. Apple Intelligence will support other languages including Chinese, French, Japanese, and Spanish next year.

2. All-new, more powerful Siri

Siri is getting a much-needed upgrade to compete with other on-device virtual assistants. This was one of my top-requested features on my iOS 18 wishlist, and Apple seems to have delivered. It's not yet available in the beta. But in the demo showcased at the iPhone 16 launch, Siri felt more natural than ever. The Apple virtual assistant is being redesigned to understand you better with more awareness of personal context and the ability to take action in and across apps. Siri is supercharged with ChatGPT integration on iOS 18.

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The new version of Siri also brings vacuum cleaner support with the Home app, allowing you to control functions like power, cleaning mode, vacuuming, mopping, and charging status just by asking your iPhone. Another hands-free Siri interaction includes the ability to nod your head yes or gently shake your head no to respond to an incoming call when you are wearing the AirPods Pro. Siri now works in the background, so you don't have to speak out loud to accept or decline a call. Moreover, you can now ask Siri to apply styles in Photos while editing.

3. A more personalized home screen

With iOS 18, Apple finally allows you to place apps anywhere you want on the home screen. I mean, without any worry of left-aligned stacking and filling in negative spaces! I've missed this customizability, especially on Pro Max and Plus series iPhones because it's hard to reach the top of their large screens with my thumb while I'm holding the device. Like Android, iOS now allows you to place apps wherever you want -- no more rigid grid.

Also: The 5 best iPhone 16 Pro features that enthusiasts will care about

Plus, Apple is adding the ability to customize icon colors to match the wallpaper -- much like Material You on Android. iOS 18 will suggest color combinations that match the background colors for a better look and feel to your home screen. In the WWDC keynote presentation, it looked gorgeous with Dark Mode. However, you need to customize it to your liking as the default colors are too cartoonish in beta.

4. Customizable lock screen and Control Center

The customizations extend to the lock screen. You can now replace the lock screen icons of Torch/Flashlight and Camera with other apps, so they are just one swipe away from the lock screen. iOS 18 also adds the ability to lock apps behind Face ID and passwords. You can add apps to a hidden space that no one else can access when, for example, you hand them your iPhone to show photos.

Also: Every iPhone 16 model compared: Which new iPhone should you buy?

Apple is updating the Control Center to offer more customizations and adds better navigation. For instance, you can now swipe up from the Control Center to go to a larger and handier media player. Moreover, the Control Center supports multiple widget pages, including one dedicated to managing smart home appliances.

iOS 18 is making the pairing process for third-party devices easier with on-screen pop-ups, like when you pair AirPods. The new update also gives you more control over how you want to add contacts.

5. Photos gets an overhaul

On iOS 18, Apple is giving Photos a major redesign. The new look makes the Library more organized to display important photos at a glance, with Collections at the bottom. A single Collection can include groups of people, which wasn't possible before. The new feature automatically organizes your library by topics like Recent Days, Trips, and People & Pets. When you tap on Photos, you get a screen that is about 60% occupied by the regular gallery of photos, while the rest includes Collections.

Also: 'Clean up' is the iPhone's new AI editing tool to wipe out photobombers

The presentation during WWDC showcased fast transitions and a Photo grid that lets you view the entire library, which you can navigate by scrolling. Plus, you can now filter out screenshots. iOS 18 also adds the ability to right-swipe from the grid to go to the new Carousel, which includes Featured Photos, media based on location, Favorites, and more. It is supposed to display a new set of photos each day to keep the experience fresh.

In my experience, the Photos app has been cluttered so far. It gets better if you take the time to edit the folders you need on the screen and customize it to your preference.

6. Messages gets more personality (and satellite support)

Messages is also getting new features like RCS support, the ability to schedule messages, and text formatting, which really should have been part of the app for some time now. With iOS 18, you can now schedule a message to be sent at a specific time -- another feature Android has had for a while -- like you would with emails. As for RCS, it brings a better texting experience if you receive messages from those who aren't on iMessage, notably Android users.

Also: Everything Apple announced at WWDC 2024, including iOS 18, Siri, AI, and more

The updated Messages app will also let you add text formatting like bold, italics, underline, and strikethrough to your texts. Another new feature is text effects, which add a splash of personality and surprise emojis to your messages. You can apply animated, fun effects to any letter, emoji, or word and phrase of your message -- most of them are automatically suggested as you type. Moreover, iPhone 14 models and later will be able to access Satellite connectivity to text when situated in areas with no signal.

7. Other app updates

Apple is updating the Mail app to add Categorizations, allowing you to filter emails into categories like Primary, Transactions, and Promotions. Categorizations will be available later this year. More app updates include a Topographic view in Maps, Tap to Cash in Wallet for sharing cash digitally with a tap, and Insights in the Journal app.

Apple is adding more functionality to Safari on iOS 18. It will now detect relevant information on a page and highlight it as you browse. There's a redesigned Reader that adds a table of contents and a high-level summary for a better experience. Plus, you get a Game Mode to minimize background activity, sustaining consistently high frame rates for long durations. Toggling the mode will also reduce audio latency with AirPods and wireless game controllers.

Also: iPhone 15 vs. iPhone 16: Should you upgrade to Apple's latest model?

The Home app is getting a major update later this year, introducing robot vacuum cleaner support and the ability to view your home electricity use. For compatible locks, Apple is adding Express Mode, allowing you to unlock doors as you approach with just your iPhone in your pocket or while wearing your Apple Watch. You can now also grant specific controls to people with Guest access.

The new iOS 18 update also integrates Reminders with Calendar, so you can see added future reminders when viewing your schedule. Developers and the public can access the iOS 18 beta right now. The full release will be available next Monday, September 16.