iOS 18 may be the best Apple update in recent years. I really can’t squeeze out the toothpaste.

[Gearbest Technology]As time goes by, it is getting closer and closer to Apple’s annual event-WWDC 2024. This global developer conference has always been a stage to reveal the next generation of software innovation in Apple’s hardware ecosystem, including Including the highly anticipated iterative upgrade of the iOS 18 system on iPhone devices.

Rumors surrounding iOS 18 have continued to heat up recently. It is reported that this update may bring unprecedented large-scale changes. Not only has it been confirmed that support for Rich Communication Services (RCS) will be included, but there are also rumors about the main features of iOS 18. Screen personalization will have a significant breakthrough discussion. However, among the many speculations, one potential change that I am most concerned about has not yet been announced, and I look forward to iOS 18 bringing more disruptive user experience improvements.

In fact, at the hardware level, Apple's iPhone currently has no advantage over Android flagship phones at the same price, and this situation may be difficult to change for a long time in the future. If the latest iOS system cannot bring enough innovation and attention, then the iPhone 16 series will be under greater pressure from Huawei, Samsung and Xiaomi.

iOS is outdated

In 2007, the first iPhone was released with the highly recognizable iOS, and the core feature of its operating system interface design was the skeuomorphic style. At that time, Apple put a lot of effort into creating each application icon. For example, the icon of the note application Notes has a realistic paper texture, and the camera application cleverly simulates the shape of a physical camera lens. It can be said that every design detail strives to reproduce the texture and look and feel of real-world objects.

Subsequently, the wheel of history entered the iOS 7 era, and the design language of the operating system underwent revolutionary changes. The original icon system, which was full of rich details, three-dimensional textures and vivid images, was completely abandoned and replaced by a flat graphic design, including a single-tone gradient filled background and simple basic shape icons. Even the button element no longer exists, and the font design is slimmer and lighter.

Since then, after seven years of iterations of iOS versions, the operating system interface has undergone an unprecedented transformation. This flat design trend not only quickly swept the iOS ecosystem, but also gradually became the mainstream aesthetic paradigm of the entire industry in the next ten years. Even though the Android Material Design design concept launched by Google has made innovations in color and dynamic interaction, in the eyes of some observers, it still cannot get rid of a certain visual monotony caused by flatness. Nowadays, people are accustomed to this overall consistent design aesthetic, which has continued for ten years now.

iOS 18 changes I want

Recently, there have been reports that the upcoming iOS 18 may incorporate design concepts derived from visionOS. This speculation originated from a leaked screenshot of what appeared to be the iOS 18 camera application interface released by MacRumors earlier, but subsequent evidence showed that the authenticity of the image was questionable. Even so, this idea triggered heated discussions, and many users expressed their expectation that iOS could learn from the design features of visionOS.

In this unconfirmed screenshot, the top and bottom of the camera application use translucent glass-textured gray borders, which is different from the common pure black background design of iOS 17. Although this “leaked” material was ultimately confirmed to be fake, based on personal experience with Apple Vision Pro products, many users, including myself, did have a strong interest in the software design in visionOS. In particular, the suspended 3D effect created by Vision Pro makes icons and menus appear layered and deep when the eyes stay on them. This design brought me a unique immersive experience, as if it reminded me of the early OS. That classic clear glass aesthetic in the X Aqua interface.

In addition, a picture that brings together various visionOS design elements also attracted people's attention. Among them, the pop-up boxes and notifications are designed with soft rounded corners and a certain depth. Compared with the flat design of the current iOS system, the visual expression is obviously richer and more diverse. It is true that an overly transparent design may cause certain problems for accessibility, but if handled properly, such changes may undoubtedly lead to a major leap in iOS design style.

It is worth noting that Apple has quietly introduced visionOS-like transparent navigation bar elements in the tvOS 17.2 update, which seems to indicate that Apple is not exclusive from trying more visual innovations in future system iterations. Therefore, when iOS 18 debuts with the new iPhone 16 series this fall, even if it does not undergo a comprehensive visual innovation, we have every reason to expect that it will absorb more of the design essence of visionOS and show a brand-new interface style.

Stop fishing

The arrival of iOS 18 carries the eager expectations of many users. One of the particularly eye-catching prospects is the improvement in the freedom of its home screen operation experience, that is, users are expected to realize a comprehensive personalized layout of application icons. For a long time, the user community has had an increasing demand to break the limitations of the existing grid and place icons as they wish. iOS 18 may be a key turning point for the implementation of this vision.

At the same time, Apple has finally followed industry trends and plans to integrate RCS (Rich Communication Services) support in iOS 18. This long-overdue feature upgrade will greatly improve the compatibility and experience of cross-platform messaging and satisfy the majority of users. There is a strong need for seamless communication.

In addition, rumors that iOS 18 will deeply integrate advanced AI technology have stimulated people's endless imagination. If the rumors are true, the intelligence of Siri and other built-in applications will reach a new level. Not only will they show greater strength in automatic replies and intelligent suggestions, but they may also derive more innovative gameplay and practical functions.

Among the many expectations, the comprehensive reconstruction of the visual level is undoubtedly the most attractive change. Since the birth of the iOS system, although its interface design has gone through many iterations, it is generally believed that it is in urgent need of a deep reshaping to respond to the ever-changing aesthetics of the times and users' demands for a higher interactive experience.

In view of Apple's high hopes for its major update plan in 2024, iOS 18 seems to be the ideal carrier to undertake this historic innovation. It is expected to give the user interface new visual impact and operational convenience while maintaining its consistent elegance and simplicity. .

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