Today we are going to talk about an amazing update – iOS 18.4! Yes, Apple has dropped another big update and it’s worth discussing what’s new in it, how the battery life is, and whether you should update or not.

I’ve already installed this update on my iPhone 11 and today I’ll give you every small and big detail about it. So come on, let’s get started.

Why Is This Update Special?

Imagine an update that not only gives your phone a new feel but also makes small things so smooth that you feel – “Hey, why wasn’t this there before?” iOS 18.4 is just such a game-changer! From tweaks in the Control Center to cool features like Visual Intelligence, this update is a big bang in a small package.

And if you’re a user of iPhone 11 or any other model like me, don’t stop reading this post – because whether this update is a hit or a miss for you, we’ll find out today!

Update Size and Build Number

This update is slightly different for different devices – on my iPhone 11, it was 3.76 GB, while on some devices it’s showing around 3.5 GB. Meaning, it’s quite a hefty update, so ensure you have enough storage and strong Wi-Fi. Speaking of the build number, it’s 18.3.22.314 – completely fresh and latest.

One more thing that has changed is the modem firmware. In previous versions (like iOS 18.1 or 18.2), many people faced network issues, but now a new firmware has arrived. Will it fix the network problems? Only time will tell, but there’s hope!

Storage: What Difference Did It Make?

Before the update, my available storage was 108.5 GB, and after the update, there was a difference of 11.55 GB.

This isn’t a big change, and in a day or two, the storage optimizes itself again. So if you’re thinking about storage, don’t worry – it’s manageable.

What’s New in iOS 18.4?

Now let’s come to the real fun – the new features! This update has brought big changes in small things. Let’s check them out one by one:

1. Control Center Tweaks
   Now there’s a lot of smoothness in the Control Center. Earlier, when we used “Add a Control” and added a section (like Blinkit) and came back, the page would refresh and we had to scroll from the start. Now that section opens right where you left it – meaning time saved and irritation gone! The brightness bar also turns white when it crosses the limit, and small arrows show up in Focus Mode – all this gives the UI a premium feel.
2. Visual Intelligence
   This feature is absolutely next-level! Now you can access Visual Intelligence from the Control Center, Action Button, or Camera Control button – all three. What does it do? It gives priority to important notifications in the Notification Center and shows them in a separate category. You can read more about it on Apple’s official support page.
3. Real-Time Signal Strength
   Wi-Fi and mobile data bars now update in real-time. Meaning, if the signal is fluctuating, it’ll show instantly – no guesswork!
4. Photos App Upgrades
   Two new filters have been added to the Photos app – “Shared with You” and “Not in an Album”. You can now filter photos shared from iCloud or those not in an album with one tap. The Recently Deleted section also has new “Recover All” and “Delete All” options – super convenient!
5. New Emojis and Languages
   Seven new emojis and support for 10 Indian languages (Gujarati, Tamil, Telugu, etc.) have been added. Siri has new voices too – now talking is even more fun!
6. Image Playground
   Now there’s a new Sketch option – you can convert your images into sketch form. This feature looks pretty cool.

New Features Highlights-

• Control Center: Smoother, smarter tweaks
• Visual Intelligence: Notification priority
• Signal Strength: Real-time updates
• Photos App: New filters + options
• Emojis & Languages: 7 emojis, 10 Indian languages
• Image Playground: Sketch conversion

Performance: Smooth or Laggy?

The performance is a mixed bag. While scrolling in Settings, I felt a slight lag, but in heavy usage (like voice recording or multitasking), it’s smoother than before.

Speaking of benchmark scores, on the iPhone 11, the multi-core score is 2641 and the single-core fluctuates a bit – it’s similar to previous updates, but the real-world experience felt slightly better. No major difference in heating – slight heat in normal usage, same as before in heavy usage.

Battery Life: Any Change?

There’s a slight improvement in battery life – meaning it feels stable, but no dramatic change. After using it for a day post-update, I felt the drain was a bit less, but it’s minimal. If you’re thinking of updating for battery life, it might not be the reason.

• Pre-Update: Normal drain
• Post-Update: Slightly less drain (minimal)

Should You Update? Final Verdict

So now the question is – should you install iOS 18.4? If you’re a fan of new features (like Visual Intelligence or Photos app tweaks), then definitely do it!

It runs quite smoothly even on older devices like the iPhone 11, and if you’re troubled by any bug or network issue, this update is worth trying.

But if your phone is old and you want a stable experience, you can wait a bit. Read more about iOS 18’s public beta here and also check out iOS 19’s supported devices.

Pros vs Cons