This fall, the iPhone undergo two massive transformations that will fragment it in ways previously thought impossible. First, Apple Intelligence will only run on the iPhone 16 and iPhone 15 Pro models, meaning your iOS 18 experience will vary depending on your hardware.
Second, the European Union (EU) is getting its own iPhone update that has nothing to do with hardware or Apple Intelligence. In that sense, Apple Intelligence won’t even be available on supported devices in Europe yet, while the US and the rest of the world will get it.
I’m talking about sideloading apps on iPhone, using third-party App Store alternatives, and even replacing stock iPhone apps with other options.
This iPhone experience in the EU is the “fun” one. That’s what you’ll hear about it. It’s probably the iPhone experience that Apple will have to boldly offer worldwide sooner or later.
However, I’m sure many iPhone users will miss out on the fun. I say this as a European with access to the fun EU iPhone: I don’t want any of the changes being introduced to iOS because regulators wanted them.
I’ve explained time and time again why iPhone sideloading, third-party app marketplaces, and third-party payment systems are not for me in the future. I can get them, but I won’t. Instead, I want the security, privacy, reliability, and convenience that Apple provides for me when it comes to app access and payments for the computer I’ve used the most in my life.
But I understand that other people want it, here in Europe and abroad. Apple should allow them to use the iPhone as they see fit. While I share Apple’s stance on sideloading on the iPhone, Apple’s refusal to bring the EU’s iPhone experience to the rest of the world will only generate bad publicity and more attention from other regulators.
Deleting default iPhone apps
In addition, Apple recently announced that iPhone users in the EU will also be able to change the default settings of several apps on their iPhones, including the App Store, Messages app, Photos, Camera, and Safari.
I will never change these default settings. It all depends on how I use the iPhone and how I want to use it in the future.
I will never delete the App Store and replace it with something else. I don’t think anyone else will either. Third-party app marketplaces will never get the same amount of apps as the App Store. And you will need it for both app downloads and updates.
When it comes to messaging, I have three types of contacts on my iPhone: those I talk to via iMessage, those I talk to via WhatsApp (or another third-party app), and those I talk to via multiple chat apps.
I rarely get SMS texts, and the ones I do get are notifications from delivery services or two-factor authentication codes. But I would never trust any company other than the device manufacturer to manage standard messages, so I can’t delete the messaging apps either.
Of course RCS is coming to the iPhone. But most of my contacts won’t be able to reach me that way. I don’t have to change anything to enable RCS other than flipping a switch.
Safari is my iPhone browser. It’s the best choice for privacy-conscious people; no other browser can compete. I don’t use Safari for work on Mac, so I have a syncing problem. But it’s not as complicated as it sounds. I’ll never give up Safari on iPhone.
Next come the camera and photo apps. There’s no way I’ll delete these on the iPhone, let alone remove them as default. It’s about privacy as well as functionality. I trust Apple with the security of my photos and backups in iCloud or transfers to the Mac. I’ve also got my eye on the iPhone 16’s record button, the functionality of which will primarily serve Apple’s camera app.
I also suspect that if Apple’s above apps become the default, it will be much easier for Apple Intelligence to work on iPhone and iPad. And yes, I would like the smarter Siri to have access to my data to provide help using the information it contains.
What I’m trying to say is that I already own the fun iPhone in Europe and no changes are necessary for me.
But like with sideloading above, I understand that some people will want to replace some of these apps with others. I’m sure they’ll have arguments as valid as mine.
I also think that the majority of people will stick with the current device. But Apple should not be afraid to offer the “fun iPhone” in all the markets it serves.
