iOS 18: Big Customization Update Without AI

Although Apple Intelligence isn’t arriving on day one, iOS 18 still stands as an ambitious update in its own right.

It’s an unusual year for iOS.

Normally, the full suite of software updates arrives all at once. That’s not the case with iOS 18. While the foundational aspects are here—like RCS support and a redesigned control center—Apple’s standout feature, Apple Intelligence, won’t be making its debut just yet. In fact, we may not see its most exciting functionalities until well into 2025. The rollout of iOS 18 begins now, but it will be a gradual process, continuing over the next several months.

Despite the absence of Apple Intelligence, iOS 18 is a solid upgrade. Customization options are at an all-time high, offering more control over your iPhone’s interface than ever before. It feels almost uncharacteristically open-ended for Apple.

Customization and Control Center Overhaul

One of the most notable changes in iOS 18 is the revamp of the Control Center. The quick-access settings panel, which had largely stayed the same for nearly a decade, gets a significant overhaul. Apple strikes a balance between familiarity and innovation—everything feels recognizable, but the changes underneath the surface are substantial.

Controls are now organized into multiple pages, with familiar items like connectivity and focus modes still on the main page. However, each page is highly customizable—you can add, remove, and adjust the size of controls based on your preferences. This system will get even more interesting when third-party apps start integrating their own controls.

It took me a bit to adjust to the new layout. At first, I was swiping too far down the screen and jumping ahead to additional pages. After a week or so, though, I retrained my muscle memory, and now the added customization feels seamless. You can even delete the extra pages if you prefer a simpler layout. Personally, I’ve turned my Control Center into a mini remote control for my phone, reducing the need to jump between apps.

The RCS Messaging Update

Another notable change in iOS 18 is the addition of RCS (Rich Communication Services), a feature that will either feel insignificant or hugely impactful, depending on your needs. For me, it was exciting to see my first RCS messages go through to friends using Android. Without any extra input, my messages began defaulting to RCS rather than SMS after I installed the iOS 18 beta. The transition has been smooth, with typing indicators, read receipts, and reactions displaying as they should.

The real test will come when more people update to iOS 18 and we can send photos across platforms without any hassle. If you regularly message someone on Android, iOS 18’s RCS support will greatly improve the cross-platform messaging experience. This won’t end the blue-bubble, green-bubble debates, but it will alleviate some of the pain points.

Home Screen Freedom Like Never Before

One of the most exciting features of iOS 18 is the ability to fully customize your home screen layout. You can place icons anywhere you want, something that iPhone users have been asking for since day one. Apple has also introduced app icon tinting, though I haven’t found a way to make it look great without feeling too “Material Ew.”

Still, the freedom to organize the home screen as you see fit feels like a revelation, and it’s hard to believe we couldn’t do this before.

A New Passwords App and More

Another standout feature in iOS 18 is the new Passwords app, which would typically be a headline feature, but with everything else happening, it’s not even in the top three. The app simplifies password management, allowing you to save and share passwords across your Apple devices. It’s perfect for families or households where you need to share login information, but everyone must be using Apple devices for it to work.

For users deeply embedded in the Apple ecosystem, this app will be a game-changer. For those who switch between iOS and Android, like myself, it’s less useful.

Voice Memos Transcription: A Journalist’s Dream

One feature I know I’ll be using long-term is the transcription feature in Voice Memos. For years, Pixel phones have been the go-to tool for recording and transcribing interviews. With iOS 18, Apple finally introduces a transcription feature that works in real-time or after the fact. The quality is on par with Google’s Pixel Recorder, which is great news for journalists and anyone who frequently records audio.

Looking Ahead: Apple Intelligence Still in Development

While iOS 18 brings a lot to the table, there’s no ignoring the fact that Apple Intelligence is the big missing piece. I’ve had a glimpse of what’s to come through early betas, where Siri gets a sleek new look and some basic Apple Intelligence features—like email summaries and notification digests—are already live. However, the real game-changers, like contextual awareness and more powerful automation tools, are still on the horizon, set to arrive in a later update.

For now, iOS 18 delivers a strong start, but it’s clear that Apple Intelligence will be the crown jewel when it finally arrives.