The potential absence of a telephone application icon from the primary application dock in Apple’s iOS 18 represents a noteworthy design shift. Traditionally, this dock has served as the persistent home for frequently accessed applications. Removing the standard phone application icon from this prime location suggests a re-evaluation of user interaction paradigms or the promotion of alternative communication methods.
Such a change could imply several benefits and carries historical weight. It might free up valuable dock space for other applications, encouraging users to diversify their app usage. Alternatively, it could signal a decreased reliance on traditional phone calls in favor of messaging applications or Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services, reflecting evolving communication trends. Previous iOS updates have often included adjustments to default application placement, hinting at Apple’s commitment to refining the user experience based on usage data and emerging technologies.