The iOS 18 Photos Redesign: Love It or Hate It, You’re Missing the Point

Let’s talk about the new iOS 18 Photos app. The internet’s up in arms—“Where’s my navigation bar?” “Why does everything feel different?” But before you grab your pitchfork, let’s zoom out for a second. Apple didn’t break the Photos app—they leveled it up.

Here’s why the redesign is smarter than most people realize—and why it might be setting the stage for something much bigger.

Less Tabs, More Memories

The old Photos app was fine. Tabs at the bottom, albums tucked away, a search bar for when you got desperate. Functional? Sure. But memorable? Not really.

The new design ditches the tabs for a scrollable interface, putting your photo library and curated collections front and center. It’s built to feel like flipping through your life’s highlights, not digging through a filing cabinet.

Yeah, it’s a shift. But once you start using it, you realize—it’s just easier. Want to relive last summer’s road trip? Boom, it’s in “Trips.” Miss your dog? Check “People & Pets.” It’s like the app knows what you’re looking for before you do.

Your Own AI Memory Curator

The standout feature here is Collections, which groups photos into themes—people, places, events, even lighting and mood. This isn’t just clever—it’s powerful. Apple’s on-device intelligence turns your chaotic photo library into a curated story of your life.

It’s like having your own personal assistant that says, “Hey, remember that awesome day at the beach? Here’s everything you forgot about it.” It’s not just photos anymore—it’s memories, served up on demand.

Change is Uncomfortable—But Necessary

Let’s be real: no one likes change. But the complaints about this redesign feel like nitpicking. “Where’s my navigation bar?” Okay, but…do you actually miss it? Or are you just used to it?

Apple’s betting that once you get over the learning curve, you’ll realize the new design isn’t just different—it’s better. It’s less about finding things and more about rediscovering them. That’s a win.

Customization = No Excuses

Not feeling the new vibe? Cool, Apple’s got you. You can tweak the layout, reorder sections, and hide stuff you don’t care about. This flexibility makes the redesign less of a “take it or leave it” situation and more of a “make it yours” moment.

It’s a smart move by Apple. They’re giving you options, so if you’re still mad, well…that’s on you.

Is This the Beginning of the End for Tab Bars?

Here’s a thought: what if this isn’t just about Photos? What if Apple’s testing the waters for a new way we interact with apps entirely?

Think about it. With AI becoming smarter and more integrated into our devices, do we really need static navigation bars? If your device can understand context—like, “Hey Siri, show me my recent trip to Italy,” or “Find all my photos of sunsets”—then why waste screen real estate on navigation that’s mostly redundant?

The Photos app redesign hints at a future where apps aren’t about tabs, clicks, or swipes—they’re about conversations and contextual understanding. Your app becomes less of a tool and more of a guide.

This isn’t just a Photos redesign. It could be a blueprint for how apps work in an AI-first world.

Apple’s Playing the Long Game

Here’s the bigger picture: this redesign isn’t just about Photos. It’s about where Apple is headed. Personalization, AI, intuitive design—this is Apple doubling down on its core philosophy: make tech feel human.

They’re not designing for what’s familiar. They’re designing for what’s next. And yeah, sometimes that’s uncomfortable. But when has Apple ever played it safe?

The Verdict

Hate it now? That’s fine. But give it a month. The new Photos app is smarter, simpler, and more personal than ever before. It’s not perfect, but it’s a step forward.

Change is hard. But staying the same? That’s worse. And honestly, if this is Apple’s first step toward rethinking how we interact with apps entirely, I’m here for it.

What do you think? Are we about to see a world without bottom navigation bars? Or are people too stuck in their ways to let go?