The latest iPhones are some of the best phones available on the market. Not only do they offer a premium fit and finish, but they will also receive OS updates for many years to come. With the new iOS 18, Apple promises to make the iPhone better than ever. However, sitting around waiting for its public release in the fall is no fun. If you're eager to try out some of the new features right now, you can install the latest iOS 18 beta to get a taste.

However, there are always bound to be problems with a beta release in the form of bugs and glitches. So, before you update, it's important to be familiar with all the drawbacks of a beta release. We'll help you figure out whether taking the plunge is worth it or not by taking a look at the pros and cons.

Why you should install the iOS beta version

Generally speaking, iOS beta builds tend to be more stable than Android beta versions. So if you've survived living with the latter, it's safe to assume you'll experience no major issues with the former. The great thing about the iPhone is that you can easily roll it back to a stable version if the beta is too buggy for your liking. So, unlike the Apple Watch, you're not stuck with very limited options if you dislike the beta.

On top of that, there are plenty of reasons to update to the iOS 18 beta specifically. The new update includes better home screen customization, a new control center, RCS support, and a completely redesigned Photos app. There are also a bunch of brand-new Apple Intelligence generative AI features, but those will only be available later this Fall.

An interesting insight is that Apple actually encourages people to try out the public beta releases. If you’re a part of the Beta Software Program, Apple might send out an email prompting you to try out the beta release. In case you do decide to install the beta version, Apple even includes a Feedback Assistant app on the home screen that you can use to send bug reports to Apple.

Sure, a beta version of iOS will have more bugs than usual, but let’s not pretend that bugs are exclusive to beta releases. This is why the public release gets so many updates throughout the year to fix issues caused by prior releases. Personally, I've never experienced any intolerable glitches that have forced me to roll back the OS. I've been running every iOS beta for years now, and it's certainly doable. If you’re the type of person who always tunes into WWDC and wants to try the new features as soon as possible, then participating in the beta release is not a bad idea.

Why you should not install the iOS beta version

While there’s usually no harm in trying out the beta route, there are some drawbacks you should be aware of. You could always roll back to the stable version, but installing a very early beta build on your daily driver isn’t a great idea to begin with. Some banking apps could stop working, not to mention that core phone features might break. So if you depend on your phone in your everyday life, expect inconveniences and obstacles here and there.

One important thing to be aware of is that if you don’t back up to iCloud before updating to the beta release, you might lose some data if you decide to roll back. Similarly, if you back up to iCloud while you’re on the beta, you won’t be able to access that recent data when you eventually roll back.

Beta versions also sometimes lead to increased battery drain. Now, your mileage may vary depending on how new your phone is and whether your battery is already deteriorating or not. A beta release might not be optimized for efficiency, and on older iPhones, this can be a bit of a problem.

It comes down to personal preference

Ultimately, if you know what you're getting into, there's no harm in learning how to try out the beta. People who don’t mind a few bugs, glitches, and possibly worse battery life are more than welcome to try out the beta release. However, if you’re more sensitive to those sorts of issues, it’s probably best to stick to the stable version. Those enrolled in Apple's Developer Program can get access to the betas before everyone else in the general beta program.