Not user-friendly, not practical.

On the early morning of September 17, Apple pushed out the official iOS 18 update, supporting the second-generation iPhone SE and subsequent models, with an internal version number of 22A3354 and an update size of approximately 4GB. This major update brought many new features, such as the much-anticipated app locking and call recording functionalities.

However, the arrival of the official iOS 18 version has sparked widespread controversy.

On the morning of the 17th, the topics "iOS 18 gave back my mother's original photo album" and "iOS 18 is so ugly" simultaneously trended on social media, peaking in the top 10 at times, even surpassing the buzz surrounding the upcoming iPhone 16 series. Yet, most users expressed dissatisfaction with this update.

(Image source: Weibo)

For instance, some users believe that iOS 18 resembles MIUI too much; others have significant grievances about the newly revamped Photos app. Notably, the rumored encryption of Apple components was officially launched in this update, enabling iOS 18 to monitor non-original components in real-time and issue warnings.

(Image source: X)

It can be said that iOS 18 has sparked numerous complaints, but is it really that bad?

iOS 18, an update for the sake of updating?

It's not surprising that iOS 18's official version is trending on social media for criticism.

The most controversial aspect is the all-new Photos app in iOS 18. In terms of design, it abandons the previous simple information flow logic and adopts a card-style format. The new Photos app displays features such as albums, highlights, and memories simultaneously on the home screen, creating a cluttered appearance.

(Image source: Apple Newsroom)

The video playback function in the Photos app simplifies the progress bar from a thumbnail format to a timeline progress bar. Currently, only when manually dragging the bar can users see screenshots of the video every second, and some users express discomfort with this change.

I personally have an iPhone 15 Pro that was updated to the iOS 18 beta version long ago. Initially, I was not accustomed to the new Photos app, especially the "suggestions" from Apple, which did not align with my daily needs. However, we can manually disable some of these suggestions, such as people and pets, by turning off the corresponding album entirely.

It is evident that Apple has prioritized smart highlights in the new Photos app. While these machine-learning-selected photos may be interesting, the Photos app's primary function is to facilitate browsing, and the dominance of smart highlights disrupts users' habit of viewing photos sequentially. This explains why almost everyone is complaining: "Give back my mother's original photo album!"

(Image source: Lei Technology illustration)

Another significant change that has sparked controversy is the Control Center. In iOS 18, users can freely customize the necessary widgets. This controversy stems primarily from the Control Center's adoption of circular icons, which is uncharacteristic of Apple's design aesthetic.

(Image source: Lei Technology illustration)

Previously, iOS adhered to a unique rounded rectangle design with curvature similar to that of the iPhone's borders, creating a harmonious visual effect. Furthermore, having both rounded rectangles of different sizes and purely circular icons in the same Control Center is a relatively rare choice in iOS history.

However, due to the high degree of customization, the new Control Center can be tailored to include various playful elements, such as a full page of flashlight toggles or flight mode icons.

(Image source: Lei Technology illustration)

Overall, iOS 18's most criticized aspects are indeed those with significant changes, marking a shift in Apple's approach towards openness and customization. However, poor design, shoddy aesthetics, and unclear arrangement have left most long-time Apple users feeling uneasy.

Becoming increasingly dull, is iOS unfairly criticized?

As one of the core competencies of the iPhone, iOS served as a benchmark for customized Android systems in its early years, with many early systems incorporating some "Apple flavor." However, in recent years, deeply customized systems like OriginOS 4 have garnered praise, while iOS has faced increasing criticism.

Firstly, since entering the era of flat design with iOS 7, Apple has made only minor adjustments, with little change in design style. At the time, one could argue that Apple was ahead of its time, with elements like nonlinear animations, flat icons, and frosted glass effects still popular today. Nonetheless, iOS has lacked innovation over the years.

Secondly, functional deficiencies have made iOS less practical. Since the iPhone X, Apple has entered the era of full-screen devices, with iPhones growing larger each year. The recently released iPhone 16 Pro Max boasts a 6.9-inch display. Despite this size, iOS still does not support side gestures for navigation, practically eliminating the possibility of one-handed use for Pro Max users.

(Image source: Apple's official website)

iOS 18 does introduce features long-awaited by Apple fans, such as app locking and call recording. However, commonly seen functionalities like app cloning or split-screen mode remain absent from iOS.

Perhaps Apple believes these features are not suitable for iOS, but this also makes the iPhone less practical. Additionally, to ensure continuous updates for older devices, iOS adjusts its performance strategies with each major update. According to INIYSA's performance test report, the iPhone 15 Pro Max running iOS 18 outperforms its iOS 17 counterpart in multiple performance metrics, particularly in AI and machine learning computation speed, which is several times faster.

(Image source: INIYSA)

However, there are also negative cases. For instance, some iPhone 13 series users have reported significant performance degradation and reduced smoothness after updating to iOS 18. INIYSA's latest data also indicates that iOS 18 intentionally adjusts peak single-core performance, primarily to control heat generation and enhance battery life.

Objectively speaking, iOS is not stagnant; for instance, Live Activities, introduced alongside the Dynamic Island, has become a highly imitated feature among customized systems. Nevertheless, iOS's evolution in recent years has been modest, with increasingly dull new features, prompting Apple fans to seek alternatives.

The iPhone 16 series' lukewarm reception: iOS's "contribution"?

From a market perspective, the controversy surrounding iOS 18 extends beyond design, reflecting deeper challenges facing Apple in today's competition. According to Q2 2023 market data, Apple held approximately 17.6% of the global smartphone market share, ranking second globally but underperforming in some regions, particularly China. During the same quarter, local brands like Huawei, OPPO, and Xiaomi occupied 19.8%, 16.5%, and 13.7% of the market, respectively, demonstrating strong local competitiveness.

Crucially, iOS 18 is pre-installed on the iPhone 16 series, meaning buyers of these devices have no option but to accept the changes brought by the new iOS version. This could be a reason why owners of older iPhone models choose to wait and see.

As iOS 18 faces criticism, Chinese smartphone manufacturers have begun to take action: OPPO officially announced its ColorOS Developer Conference for October 17, while vivo hinted at the upcoming beta release of OriginOS 5. HarmonyOS, highly anticipated, is set for release by year-end.

(Image source: OPPO)

According to Counterpoint Research, Android smartphones accounted for over 72% of global shipments in the first half of 2023, while iOS held the remaining share. While Apple maintains a strong position in the premium market, Android's penetration in the mid-to-high-end segment is rising, particularly through customized systems that excel in meeting users' personalized needs.

On the Coolapk community, OriginOS 4 received a user rating of 8.2, while HarmonyOS 4.0 scored 8.4. In contrast, iOS 18 garnered only 7.4, marginally higher than realmeUI 5.0's 7.3.

Following the release of the official iOS 18 version, pre-sales of the iPhone 16 series encountered notable issues. For instance, the iPhone 16 Pro in Desert Gold Titanium currently shows an estimated delivery date of October 11 on the Apple Store, whereas pre-orders for the iPhone 14 and iPhone 15 series during their respective launches had delivery dates stretching into November.

(Image source: Apple Store)

Undeniably, Apple's iOS 18 faces pressure not only from design criticisms but also from lags in market strategy. While the iPhone still commands a considerable user base in the premium market, changes in the global competitive landscape pose significant challenges. If Apple continues to stagnate in design and user experience, the iPhone's market share could further shrink as customized Android and HarmonyOS systems continue to evolve.

To maintain its competitiveness in the smartphone market, Apple must make significant breakthroughs in iOS design and functional experience. However, such changes may not be universally accepted by long-time users, as evidenced by the controversy surrounding iOS 18's design. If you haven't upgraded from an older version to iOS 18, I suggest you proceed with caution.

Source: Lei Technology