The iOS 18 has seen a ton of attention since its announcement, but its capabilities extend beyond AI. Here are some overlooked features.
Ever since Apple started seeding developer and public beta builds of iOS 18, all the attention has been hogged by Apple Intelligence, and deservedly so. It marks Apple’s first all-in foray into the domain of generative AI, a strategy that seeks to overhaul everything from Siri to the arguably mundane task of taking and editing notes.
However, iOS 18 adds a lot more than subjectively practical (and often gimmicky) AI tricks at a system-wide level. For example, dark-themed icons are finally here, even though the implementation received some flak for the poor design implementation. The Control Center has received a massive overhaul, the Photos app has been reimagined, Safari was bestowed with some meaningful tricks, and even a Game Mode made its way to the iPhone.
However, there are a whole bunch of features that Apple didn’t discuss on stage at its annual developers conference, but have been discovered by testers. Following is a selection of such iOS 18 features that didn’t get much attention, but are still helpful to iPhone users in their own unique way.The flashlight gets a new life
In 2024, the iPhone’s humble LED flash has undergone a key functional change with the introduction of iOS 18. The update has brought about a notable improvement in the native flashlight experience, particularly for iPhones that come equipped with the Dynamic Island cutout at the top.
Now, users can effortlessly toggle the flashlight’s power and select from four distinct brightness levels. Additionally, they can control the beam width, utilizing the subtle curved line on the user interface to indicate the beam’s width and brightness. This feature provides users with a convenient and intuitive way to adjust their flashlight settings.
The beam width adjustment is as simple as swiping left or right, while the luminous intensity can be modified by sliding the corresponding bar up or down. While these enhancements may not constitute a groundbreaking innovation, they undoubtedly enhance the user experience. The most notable improvement lies in the new slider, which offers a significantly broader range of brightness options compared to the previous four levels. We sincerely hope that Apple considers implementing color temperature adjustment in future iterations of iOS.More battery preservation options
Apple has rolled out some practically cally rewarding battery health settings in iOS 18 for the iPhone 15 series phones. Remember when iOS 17 introduced a charging limit feature? Well, Apple has now taken it up a notch. Users can now choose from a quartet of charging limits: 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, or even 100%. This means you can finally say goodbye to those pesky battery worries and hello to a longer-lasting device. Just head over to the Settings app, find the Charging dashboard under the battery subsection, and make your choice.
Apple’s been on a slow progress track to address electrochemical battery wear over the past few years with a new battery setting. Overcharging is nothing short of a longevity enemy for batteries, and it can lead to all sorts of trouble, including ionic buildup that dramatically reduces its performance. By limiting your charge to a sensible 80%, you’re not just preserving your battery life; you’re also keeping your phone safe from potential hazards by reducing the number of full charge-discharge cycles it goes through. I strongly suggest that you enable it, and you’ll yourself later when your iPhone is still kicking like a champ while others are struggling to hold a charge.Power button in Control Center
The new Control Center in iOS 18 is packed with features that make your life easier, all thanks to its new multi-page approach and scope for customization. One of the unsung heroes of this update is the new power button tucked away in the top-right corner. As soon as you tap on it, the classic power slider pops up, allowing you to turn off your iPhone without the physical button gymnastics. It’s as if Apple finally realized that we don’t all want to perform a two-button tango just to power down.
In the aftermath of the iPhone X redesign, the elimination of the physical Home button presented a significant challenge for users. Previously, turning off an iPhone was a straightforward process involving a long press on the side button. However, Apple’s decision to introduce additional complexity has resulted in a system where holding the side button alone activates Siri, while simultaneously pressing the volume button is required for powering down.
