After waiting for so many days, Apple finally pushed the official version of iOS18.0 to all devices that meet the upgrade requirements today. Just like last year, it was also released three days before the first sale date. In theory, for a mobile phone manufacturer, whether the system is easy to use also means whether the phone is easy to use. However, judging from the already published update content, iOS18.0 can only be described as mediocre, with neither surprises nor apparent issues. It's no wonder that some netizens have joked that iOS18 is yet another "epic" update. Since Apple has already pushed it out, as per usual, we still need to talk about it.

Without going into too much detail about everything, let's mainly discuss the updates that may interest you. First, there are personalized updates in terms of security. In the past, many iPhone users have shown interest in the app lock feature on Android phones and have been calling on Apple to adopt a similar approach. iOS18.0 finally fulfills the wishes of iPhone users by introducing this feature. While it may seem like Apple is borrowing from Android, that's not entirely accurate as some earlier iOS plugins could already achieve similar functions.

iOS18.0 simply refines the app lock feature. By long-pressing the app icon on the home screen, a "Require Face ID" option will appear in the secondary menu. After setting a password for individual apps, Face ID will be required to unlock and use them the next time. However, there is a minor issue: iPhone SE2 and SE3 do not have Face ID but can still upgrade to iOS18. It's unclear if the feature supports Touch ID. Personally, I believe it should not exclude these two models.

The customization of the home screen is likely of interest to iPhone users. While previous system versions allowed some customization, iOS18 opens it up more comprehensively. It not only allows users to freely set icon themes but also place icons wherever they choose. If the user enables dark mode, the system will automatically fill app icons with darker colors. While this offers greater freedom in customizing the screen, it also raises suspicions of borrowing from Android.

In addition, the Control Center in iOS18 has undergone significant changes, adopting a multi-page layout (allowing for more functional widgets) and allowing the camera and flashlight functions, previously accessible only from the lock screen, to be replaced with any other functions. The Photos album feature has also undergone major changes, with more efficient categorization and new image browsing methods. As for Apple's AI, it is confirmed to be launched in October and will only be available to US users before the end of the year. For iOS18 users in other countries, AI features are likely to arrive early next year.

In summary, if you're not particularly interested in flashy system and interface settings, there's currently no pressing need to upgrade to iOS18. Furthermore, Apple also pushed out the official version of 17.7 today, fixing up to 16 security vulnerabilities, including two serious kernel vulnerabilities. For users who prefer not to upgrade to iOS18, 17.7 is a worthy "retirement" version. However, it's remarkable that so many vulnerabilities could still be fixed at the end of a version's lifecycle.

So, iPhone users, what's your choice: stay put or upgrade?