The iOS 18 beta is a bit different than the general release. Beta testers are getting a release that recently left alpha, so issues and bugs are expected. The purpose of the beta phase is to gather user feedback to fix these bugs and address any UI issues before the software goes into mass distribution.
Beta versions can also be incomplete and not the final product, especially in the case of iOS 18, which did not include Apple Intelligence features in the first beta. This means that the iOS 18 beta is more prone to bugs, glitches, and instability.
Also: Is iOS 18 Draining Your iPhone Battery? Here’s Why, and What You Can Do
The general release will fix most bugs and issues based on user feedback gathered during the beta phase. The software will be more complete and less prone to bugs. However, bugs can still occur, as we saw with the bugs in the iPhone’s Messages app.
An example of this process is when Apple released the iOS 17 beta in 2023. The early beta had the end call button moved from the center to the right, which was a big change for iPhone users. Negative feedback from beta testers resulted in Apple moving the end button back to the center of the screen, where users were accustomed to.