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The iOS 18 update brought some significant changes to the UI, from the home screen to the control center. Even the everyday apps you use, such as Photos, Safari, and more, have changed. These features have been available in the Android space for a long time, and iOS fans finally have similar levels of customization options.
However, while many loved the changes in the new update, some didn't. A few users feel that the new UI is too different from the previous interface they were already comfortable with. In that case, they can choose to stay on iOS 17 as long as they want, but should you? Most users assume that new means better, but that may not be the case with everyone.
Therefore, I'm doing an in-depth comparison between iOS 18 and iOS 17.7 to determine which is the best Apple OS for iPhones.
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Note: Many aspects of this article are subjective and solely reflect the writer's opinions.
iOS 18 vs iOS 17.7
We will compare various aspects of the two iOS operating systems to determine whether you should update to iOS 18 or stay on iOS 17. Here's a detailed comparison of the two iOS versions:
Control center
The control center in iOS 18 has seen some big changes. It allows you to move and resize every tile and add multiple scrollable pages. This level of customization is simply not available on iOS 17.7.
Users who prefer customizations and those coming from the Android space would love this new control center. However, not everyone feels the same. Some users, including me, prefer the older design language with the squircle icon shape instead of the circular one in the new iOS 18 version. So, I would say the control center of iOS 17.7 is better.
Home screen
The home screens of the iOS version from 13 to 17.7 have a white app background, irrespective of the light or dark theme. The new iOS 18 update allows users to select a darker or tinted app background, which is great for those who prefer dark mode.
Unlike the control center, this is not forced upon you, and you can change back to the older white app background. Therefore, iOS 18 takes the lead here.
Security
iOS 18 introduced the ability to add Touch/FaceID lock on specific apps, which not only increases the security but also the privacy of the said user. For example, this will prevent kids from accessing their parent's photos, messages, and other sensitive data.
iOS 18 also moves the saved passwords section from the Settings app over to a dedicated Passwords app, which is much easier to maintain and use. So, iOS 18 is better for security.
3rd party and DIY repairs
User @AbbasCfcJT26 on X reported on the inclusion of new iPhone parts and replacement services, which could boost third-party and DIY repairs. In iOS 17.7, even if you install a genuine part manually, it would be treated as an unrecognized part and not be 100% compatible with your iPhone.
iOS 18 changes that and provides an option to "Repair" or check to see if the part is a genuine Apple one. If the part is genuine, iOS will accept that and treat it as such. Since iOS 17.7 doesn't have it, iOS 18 wins this category.
Photos app
The Photos app has seen its biggest redesign since iOS 12. The new iOS 18 update gets rid of all the tabs at the bottom of the app, and you will find everything on the same screen instead. You will have to scroll down to access the contents that were previously in those tabs.
Users on Reddit have complained about the new changes since the iOS 18 public beta first started, and I have to agree with them. I do not like the new UI, and since I'm not the only person who feels this way, I have to declare the iOS 17.7 Photos app as the winner.
Safari app
The Safari Web browser also got some decent improvements to its reader mode, including the ability to hide many web elements, including ads, subscription popups, and more. This removes all the junk from a webpage, allowing you to read its content peacefully. It's a clear win for iOS 18.
Verdict of iOS 18 vs iOS 17.7
While iOS 17.7 did win in some categories, iOS 18 took the lead in the majority of features and design choices. It is the better Apple OS and will get even better when Apple Intelligence launches later in December 2024 with the iOS 18.1 update.
However, if you prefer to stay on iOS 17.7, you can do so without any hesitation since you will receive security updates. This way, you will get the best of iOS 17.7 without compromising security.
