iOS 18 Released: Apple Embraces "Androidization," AppleIntelligence Delay Sparks Controversy

iOS 18 Released: Apple Embraces "Androidization," AppleIntelligence Delay Sparks ControversyOn September 17th, Apple officially released the iOS 18 operating system to users. The new system is compatible with all iPhone models from the second-generation iPhone SE onwards, totaling 24 models

iOS 18 Released: Apple Embraces "Androidization," AppleIntelligence Delay Sparks Controversy

On September 17th, Apple officially released the iOS 18 operating system to users. The new system is compatible with all iPhone models from the second-generation iPhone SE onwards, totaling 24 models. The upcoming iPhone 16 series will also come pre-installed with iOS 18. On the same day as the iOS 18 system update, Apple once again topped the trending search lists. However, topics like "Apple turns into Android" and "iOS 18 is ugly" became popular discussions, suggesting that users may not be as accepting of iOS 18 as in the past. Additionally, Apple's intelligent service AppleIntelligence is delayed until next year for Chinese language support, with the specific launch date still unknown.

The major updates in iOS 18 are focused on the following aspects:

1. Control Center Interface Adjustment:

The control center interface in iOS 18 has undergone a significant overhaul. Compared to the previous single layout, the new version of the control center is more diverse. For example, brightness and volume now have intuitive color indicators, and color customization is also supported. This layout and design are indeed reminiscent of Android, transitioning from simplicity to customization, a change that might take time to get used to. Beauty is subjective, and users can decide for themselves what they prefer.

Users can long-press the control center interface to enter edit mode, customize the size and order of various function buttons, and add multiple pages that support vertical sliding. However, the vertical sliding conflicts with the swipe-up gesture to close the control center. Only swiping up from the navigation bar position can close the control center, hopefully, Apple can optimize this in the future.

Among the changes, the flashlight adjustment is particularly noticeable. Clicking the flashlight icon turns on the flashlight, and users can adjust the brightness by sliding up and down, and adjust the focusing degree of the flashlight light by sliding left and right. The operation and visual effect achieve a logical unity. But from the initial testing, the standard version of iPhone 15 does not support this feature, only the iPhone 15 Pro series supports it, and whether other models support it is unknown. We recommend users to test it themselves.

2. Home Screen Redesign:

The home screen interface in iOS 18 also focuses on customization. Apple has removed the grid lines, allowing users to freely arrange APP icons, directly resize smart stacks, and even most APP icons can adapt to dark mode.

3. New App Lock:

Users can long-press the APP icon, click "Require Face ID," and choose to lock the app or hide it. Hidden apps can be unlocked and viewed in the "Hidden" folder classification at the bottom of the app library.

4. New Photo Album:

The photo library has removed the left and right swipe function, and users can choose to freely arrange the album layout through the customized options at the bottom of the page. The first-time use may feel a bit messy, requiring a period of adaptation.

5. New Voicemail:

When the phone rings, users can choose to directly hang up, hang up automatically after a long period of non-answering, or manually choose voicemail. When choosing voicemail, the call will enter the "Voicemail" program, the other party will receive a prompt and can leave a message. Subsequent message content can be viewed in the call interface, which will be displayed in both recording and voice-to-text formats. This function is quite practical.

6. Other Adjustments:

AppleID has been officially renamed to Apple Account. Opening game software automatically enters game mode, simultaneously reducing background activities. New accessibility features such as music haptic feedback, eye-tracking, and vehicle movement prompts have been added. New password apps for storing passwords and verification codes are added.

iOS 18's Controversy: Is Apple Embracing "Androidization"?

Undeniably, from the content of the iOS 18 update, it does resemble the Android system, and many designs have existed in the Android system for years ago, for example: customizing the arrangement of APP icons, customizing the control center, app locks, etc., all of which were standard features in the Android system several versions ago. So from this perspective, Apple has indeed updated an "Android system."

AppleIntelligence Delay Sparks Controversy:

But in reality, this is just the "appetizer" of iOS 18, what truly excites people is the AppleIntelligence feature. AppleIntelligence is a major upgrade to the Apple ecosystem, including a smarter Siri voice assistant that has the potential to revolutionize the user experience of the Apple ecosystem.

However, the release of AppleIntelligence in China is delayed until next year, with the specific launch date still uncertain. This adaptation progress is indeed a bit slow, and it also disappoints many users.

Conclusion:

iOS 18 brings many new features, but it also sparks some controversy. Apple's embracing of an "Androidization" design and the delayed release of AppleIntelligence cast doubts on user acceptance of iOS 18. For more details, please stay tuned for our follow-up reviews.