Apple’s iPhone 16 series comes with iOS 18 pre-installed, and while Apple is pushing this as one of its biggest updates, it doesn’t feel all that groundbreaking in everyday use. Yes, there are deep personalization options across the home screen and interface, which is a nice touch for making the UI more unique—something iOS has been lacking for a while. But in terms of real-world use, the changes aren’t as dramatic as Apple makes them out to be.
One thing I do like is that Apple continues to support iPhones with at least five years of iOS updates. That’s been their thing for a long time, and it’s reassuring to know that even older models will stay relevant for years to come.
iOS 18 does introduce some cool new features. For example, you can now customize the home screen, lock screen, and Control Center even more. There are also a couple of new apps, like Journal and Passwords, and a more advanced Calculator. The Photos app got a redesign, and both the Note and Camera apps were improved, which is always a welcome update. Apple Intelligence is on the horizon, but details are scarce for now.
Siri’s upgrade in iOS 18 is worth mentioning. Now, it has contextual awareness, meaning it can remember past conversations and give more personalized responses based on what you’ve been talking about. That’s a big step forward for Apple’s voice assistant, and I think it’ll make Siri feel more useful day-to-day, especially with its integration into third-party apps.
Health monitoring has stepped up, too, with AI-driven insights. The iPhone 16’s sensors can now estimate blood pressure, analyze sleep patterns in more detail, and even track mood using facial recognition. This is all part of a push to make the Health app more useful in improving well-being.
For the first time, iPhone users get Split View multitasking. I’ve been waiting for this—now you can run two apps side by side. On the iPhone 16’s larger screen, this feature is great for working on emails while browsing or checking messages during a call. It’s something Apple users have been asking for, and it finally made its way to the iPhone.
Quick Actions is another nice addition. It makes the home screen more interactive, letting you perform simple tasks like replying to messages or controlling music without fully opening the app.
AR also gets a boost in iOS 18 with ARKit 5.0, and the iPhone 16’s A18 Bionic chip makes AR experiences sharper and more immersive. Whether you’re gaming, shopping, or using apps, the improvements here bring the virtual and real worlds closer together.
Privacy features are also enhanced. Focus 2.0 allows for more customization based on location or time of day, while the new App Privacy Reports offer a transparent look at how apps are using your data. I’m glad to see that Apple is continuing to take privacy seriously by keeping more processing on-device.
Another interesting feature is the revamped Messages app, which now supports live collaboration. This could be a game-changer for people working in teams or collaborating on projects right within a conversation thread.
Face ID has also been improved to work from wider angles and in landscape mode, which just adds more convenience in daily use. And the Photos app now has 3D Memories, which uses AI to create dynamic compilations of your favorite photos and videos.
Overall, iOS 18 is a solid update that’s going to make the iPhone 16 feel more personal and flexible. It’s not a complete game-changer, but it does introduce features that will make daily tasks easier and give users more control over their experience. iOS 18 will also be available as a free upgrade for older iPhones later this year.
