These apps give you the best features of iOS 12 before the update rolls out

The animated cartoon characters known as Animoji are already available on the iPhone X, and iOS 12 will introduce more of them, as well as adding Memoji--customizable 3D avatars you can design to look like you--to the mix. Both types of avatar will match your facial movements, such as smiles and winks. You can use them instead of your own mug in video chats, or record short clips to share later. Third-party apps can't offer exactly the same tricks, but they do have a few fun substitutes--and unlike Animoji and Memoji, you can use them even without an iPhone X. For example, Snapchat's Bitmoji app introduced the concept of avatars you tweak to look like you.