This year marks an unusual release for iOS.

Typically, new software versions arrive in a single package. However, with iOS 18, that’s not the case. While foundational features are here, such as RCS support and a revamped Control Center, the highlight of the update—Apple Intelligence—hasn’t been included yet. Some of its most anticipated features may not be available until 2025. The iOS 18 rollout has begun, and it will continue to unfold over time.

Despite Apple Intelligence not being part of the initial release, iOS 18 remains a significant update. It brings unprecedented customization options, allowing users to personalize their iPhones in ways that were previously unheard of for Apple. It’s almost unlike Apple’s usual approach.

The Control Center Transformation

The redesigned Control Center is a great starting point. For the past decade, it’s remained mostly unchanged, but with iOS 18, it gets a major overhaul. Apple has managed to maintain its familiarity while introducing considerable improvements beneath the surface.

The controls are now divided into separate pages. Familiar elements like connectivity options and focus modes remain on the main page, but you can now fully customize each page—adding, removing, and resizing controls as you see fit. It’ll get even more exciting when third-party apps start integrating their own controls.

Adjusting to this new layout took a little time. At first, I kept overshooting to the second or third page by swiping too far. However, after about a week, muscle memory kicked in, and if the extra pages aren’t necessary, you can delete them. Personally, I’m hoping to turn the new Control Center into a mini remote for my phone, reducing the need to jump between different apps.

RCS Integration: A Big or Small Deal?

Another notable change with iOS 18 is the inclusion of RCS support, which will either be a minor tweak or a huge shift, depending on who you ask. Personally, I’m in the latter camp. It was exciting to see my first RCS message sent to an Android-using friend after updating to the iOS 18 beta. Without any effort on my part, my messages automatically transitioned from SMS to RCS, working seamlessly. Typing indicators, read receipts, and reactions all function smoothly, making cross-platform messaging much more cohesive.

The real test will come when more iPhone users upgrade to iOS 18, enabling us to exchange photos and other content without relying on cumbersome workarounds. If you regularly text Android users, I recommend encouraging your iPhone-owning friends to upgrade as well. While this isn’t going to eliminate the blue-bubble vs. green-bubble debate, it will make messaging across platforms a lot less frustrating.

Homescreen Customization Like Never Before

Another standout feature is the ability to customize your homescreen like never before. Whether you like a neat and tidy layout or prefer something more chaotic, iOS 18 gives you the freedom to place app icons exactly where you want them—a first for iPhone users. Though Apple has demonstrated the new icon tinting feature, I haven’t quite found a way to use it that suits my style, but the flexibility of arranging icons freely already feels incredibly intuitive.

New Passwords App and More

There’s so much packed into this update that a brand-new Passwords app barely ranks in the top three features. The app is straightforward, allowing you to save and access passwords across iOS, iPadOS, and macOS devices. You can also share individual or groups of passwords with others, making it useful for households and families.

However, there’s a catch. Everyone involved needs to be part of the Apple ecosystem, which may not be ideal for people like me who frequently switch between iOS and Android. Using Apple’s password manager might also make transitioning away from iOS harder, which is likely by design. Still, for Apple-centric households, it’s a great addition.

Voice Memos Transcription: A Game-Changer

One feature I’m excited about is the transcription tool in Voice Memos. This will appeal especially to journalists. For years, Google’s Pixel phones have been the go-to for recording and transcribing interviews. Now, iOS 18’s Voice Memos will offer real-time or post-recording transcription, and from what I’ve seen, it’s on par with Pixel’s Recorder app in terms of quality. While this may not be a feature everyone will use, those who need it will appreciate its value.

A Promising Start Despite Missing AI

The Control Center’s redesign and homescreen customization might seem like small updates, but if you’re willing to experiment, iOS 18 offers a lot of new features to explore—even without the much-anticipated AI functionality.

Apple Intelligence is the major missing component, though. Early beta previews hinted at what’s to come, with features like a new Siri that offers email summaries, notification digests, and writing tools. While none of this has been particularly groundbreaking yet, Apple has promised more significant updates down the line. Siri’s future ability to offer contextual responses and perform tasks on your behalf could be a game-changer, but for now, we’ll have to wait.

In the meantime, iOS 18 delivers a solid experience. Apple just needs to finish the job by rolling out its AI features.