Apple’s forthcoming iOS 18 update introduces a significant overhaul to its Photos app, a move that has sparked debate among users since its recent unveiling.
In an interview with The National, senior director Billy Sorrentino from Apple‘s human interface design team shed light on the rationale driving the extensive redesign.
“As our features, users and libraries have grown, so has the density of the [Photos] app. So rather than hunt and peck throughout, we’ve created a simple streamlined single view photos experience based on deep intelligence,” Sorrentino explained. “Ultimately, we wanted to remove friction.”
The revamped Photos app emphasizes customization, aiming to offer users greater control over the layout of their photo interface.
“Lots of deep intelligence combined with customization means that Photos can be more personal,” said Della Huff, manager of Apple’s camera and photos product marketing team. “Everyone has a different workflow and so automatic customization is really key here.”
Unveiled at WWDC 2024, Apple touts the Photos update as its “biggest-ever redesign,” centered around a unified view displaying a grid of photos with easy navigation to collections, favorites, people, places, and more.
Currently in developer beta testing, iOS 18 is expected to undergo further refinements before its broader release in September. While initial reactions to the Photos app redesign have been mixed among Apple’s user base, ongoing adjustments may influence final perceptions as the launch approaches.
