At the stroke of 2 a.m., the notification for the iOS 18.5 beta version jolted me awake—Apple seemed poised to pull out all the stops this time. After several hours of immersion and scrutiny, combined with developer logs and user feedback, this review aims to provide a fresh perspective on the evolving iOS ecosystem.

I. Chinese Users "Turn the Tables": AI Features Finally Usable

1. Siri's "Revolutionary Leap"

Mastering Chinese Nuances: Thanks to Alibaba's Tongyi Qianwen large model, Siri can now comprehend "crazy literature" and dialect humor. In a test, when asked to "play the OST of 'All In'," it responded, "Zhang Yixing's playlist has been updated, do you need to skip the 15-second ad at the beginning?" (Those in the know will appreciate the humor).

Cross-App Seamlessness: Saying, "Edit the sunset photo I just took into an oil painting style and post it to Moments," Siri automatically opens the photo editor, applies the filter, and jumps to WeChat. Even more impressive, it recognizes screen content—while scrolling through a contract and asking, "Where is the clause on the breaching party's liquidated damages?" it highlights the relevant paragraphs instantly.

Privacy Hardened: All data processing occurs locally, with encrypted storage on the device, ensuring even Apple has no access. After querying passport information, the system promptly displays a "Data Cleared" notification, offering a reassuring sense of security.

2. Apple Intelligence "Breaks Through Barriers"

Full AI Access for Chinese Users: After logging in with a Chinese region ID, non-Chinese devices now have full access to AI features. It's speculated that the official version will provide AI services exclusively for Chinese devices through cooperation and compliance.

Signal Optimization Delight: With the carrier version upgraded to 63.5.1, the 5G signal remains stable at 3 bars during subway commutes, allowing for near-seamless streaming of 4K videos.

II. Details That Thrill Enthusiasts: Features Making Downgrades Difficult

1. Photo Management Reinvented

One-Click Salvation: A "Restore All" button has been added to "Recently Deleted," enabling the recovery of 30 days' worth of accidentally deleted photos in mere seconds.

Intelligent Sorting: Travel photos are automatically categorized as "City Memories," supporting the generation of location- and person-based storybooks, which can be exported as PDF travel logs.

2. Email & Home Screen Enhancements

Avatar Toggle: A "Show Contact Photos" button has been added to the top right corner of emails. Turning it off offers a clean interface reminiscent of iOS 6.

Home Screen Ease: Long-press to enter "Edit Page" mode, and hiding an entire page of apps takes just one step, a boon for those with a penchant for order.

3. Hidden Easter Eggs

Gravity Wallpapers Redux: Colorful ball wallpapers float as the phone shakes, providing 10 minutes of amusement during downtime.

Headphone Users' Treat: After the AirPods Max firmware update, lossless audio is supported, with details like the applause in the intro of "Hotel California" clearly discernible in testing.

III. Controversies and Concerns: Potential Pitfalls

1. Beta Version Instability

Battery Life Concerns: Scrolling through Douyin for an hour consumes 25% battery and causes significant heating, advising gamers to wait for the official version.

Compatibility Caveats: Some older models experience app crashes post-update, particularly WeChat.

2. AI Ethical Considerations

Siri may actively recommend shopping links (e.g., pushing umbrella ads after asking about the weather), requiring users to manually turn off "Personalized Recommendations" in settings.

IV. Upgrade Recommendations

Early Adopters: The developer version is accessible via [Settings → General → Software Update → Select Beta Version], but cautious upgrading is advisable for primary devices.

Regular Users: Wait for the official version in May, when the anticipated opening of AI features for Chinese devices alongside iOS 18.5 will be the highlight.

Reminder for Holdouts: iPhone X and older models will not receive this update, potentially prompting users to upgrade their devices sooner rather than later.

Conclusion

The iOS 18.5 update is less a mere system iteration and more a "self-redemption" for Apple's ecosystem. As domestic phone brands frantically stack AI features, Apple has chosen to partner with Alibaba, leveraging a combination of "compliance + ecosystem." Will you embrace iOS 18.5 this time around?

Share in the comments: Which feature of iOS 18.5 are you most anticipating?