iOS 18’s Photos App: A Step Backwards?

2024-10-29

Apple’s iOS 18 brought a significant overhaul to the Photos app, promising a more intuitive and personalized experience. However, many users, including myself, have found the new design to be more confusing and less user-friendly than its predecessor.

The most noticeable change is the elimination of the traditional tabbed interface, replacing it with a scrollable library that prioritizes recent photos and automatically generated collections. While this approach aims to streamline the user experience, it often leads to a cluttered and disorienting layout.

One of the biggest complaints is the difficulty in finding specific photos. The new “Recently Saved” collection, while convenient for quick access, can obscure older images, making it harder to locate them. Additionally, the integration of Apple Intelligence, while promising, can sometimes miscategorize photos, further hindering the search process.

Another issue is the less intuitive video playback experience. The smaller preview window and the absence of timestamp information make it more cumbersome to edit and review videos.

What Undercode Says:

Apple’s intention with the iOS 18 Photos app was likely to provide a more visually appealing and personalized experience. However, the execution has fallen short of expectations. The new design, while aesthetically pleasing, sacrifices usability and clarity.

It’s important to note that user preferences vary, and some may find the new design to be an improvement. However, for many, the familiar and straightforward interface of previous iOS versions is sorely missed.

Apple should consider addressing these issues in future updates, perhaps by providing more customization options and allowing users to toggle between the old and new designs. By listening to user feedback and making necessary adjustments, Apple can ensure that the Photos app remains a valuable and enjoyable part of the iOS experience.

References:

Initially Reported By: Zdnet.com
https://www.techminds.com
Wikipedia: https://www.wikipedia.org
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