Apple’s upcoming iOS 18 is poised to be a significant leap forward for the tech giant, expected to make its debut next year. Although it’s still more than seven months away, speculations and anticipated features are starting to surface. This update is anticipated to be a notable departure from recent software updates, promising a considerable evolution. If you’re eager to stay in the loop with the latest rumors and expected features about iOS 18, this article has you covered. As the rumor mill evolves, we’ll continuously update this piece to keep you informed.
Rumored Features of iOS 18
A Major overhaul with fewer bugs
According to multiple sources, the upcoming iOS 18 update appears to be a significant leap forward compared to the recent iOS 17 release. While iOS 17 introduced noteworthy features such as NameDrop and Contact Posters, it was more about refining existing capabilities. However, indications suggest that iOS 18 will be a substantial upgrade. Renowned tech analyst Mark Gurman highlighted that the 2024 iOS “update could be unusually crucial for Apple“, emphasizing the company’s meticulous approach toward it.
Additionally, Gurman mentioned that the iPhone 16 series might not exhibit as groundbreaking changes as the iPhone 15 lineup did. The prior iteration introduced a 48MP primary camera in the standard models and equipped the Pro versions with a new titanium frame and a potent A17 Pro chipset.
“The iOS update needs to be especially remarkable because there won’t be notable hardware advancements with the iPhone 16 next year. Apple is relying on the software to entice customers towards the new models.” – Mark Gurman
Additionally, recent reports suggest that iOS 18 is poised to be a more stable and refined software iteration. Gurman previously disclosed that Apple took an unprecedented step by halting the development of its 2024 software updates to meticulously address potential glitches and bugs in the code. This meticulous approach signals Apple’s commitment to delivering a more polished and less error-prone software update with iOS 18.
Smarter Siri
It appears that Artificial Intelligence (AI) will take center stage in the anticipated iOS 18 update, though specifics about its features remain premature. Initial reports, according to insights from Mark Gurman, suggest a significant integration of generative AI technology, reminiscent of the highly popular ChatGPT released by OpenAI last year.
This shift toward generative AI aligns with recent advancements seen from tech giants like Google and Microsoft, unveiling their respective chatbots earlier this year. Gurman’s report implies that the integration of generative AI within iOS 18 aims to enhance the capabilities of Siri and the Messages app, enabling improved question handling and auto-completion of sentences. Anticipated to arrive with the forthcoming iOS 18 update next year, this feature is poised to revolutionize user experiences within Apple’s ecosystem.
According to reports from The Information, Apple intends to integrate extensive language models into Siri, aiming for deeper synergy with the Shortcuts app. This enhancement aims to empower users to automate intricate tasks seamlessly. Analyst Jeff Pu aligns with Mark Gurman’s perspective, emphasizing the pivotal role of generative AI in iOS 18. Intriguingly, Apple’s team is optimistic about the capabilities of its most advanced language model, Ajax GPT, suggesting it might surpass OpenAI’s GPT 3.5.
Support for RCS Messaging
Apple has recently confirmed plans for iPhones to support RCS Messaging starting next year, potentially making it a feature within iOS 18. This messaging standard promises enhanced communication between iPhone and Android users. Importantly, Apple won’t be substituting iMessage with RCS on iPhones; instead, both will coexist, ensuring a unified and smooth experience. The interaction among iPhone users will persist through iMessage. RCS integration is expected to deliver several enhancements to the existing messaging platform between iPhones and Android devices, such as:
- Read receipts
- Audio messages
- Typing indicators
- Higher-resolution photos & video
- Location sharing
- Better encryption
- Improved group chats
- Messaging using Wi-Fi
Release Date of iOS 18
Given Apple’s typical pattern for iOS updates, predicting the release date for iOS 18 becomes fairly straightforward. Apple tends to unveil major software updates at its annual World Wide Developer Conference, typically held in early June. Subsequently, there’s the Developer Beta, followed by a few weeks of Public Beta testing. The refined version is then launched in September, coinciding with the debut of new iPhones. Thus, it’s anticipated that iOS 18 will be announced during Apple’s WWDC 2024 event in June, with the stable version expected to roll out around September, aligning with the release of the iPhone 16 series.
Even though there was a brief pause in iOS 18 development, lasting just a week, it’s unlikely to disrupt Apple’s usual release schedules. Consequently, no significant delay is expected for the iOS 18 launch.
Which iPhones Will Get iOS 18?
As of now, there’s no official confirmation regarding the devices supported by iOS 18. Looking back at Apple’s pattern with iOS 17, support was dropped for the iPhone 8 models released in 2017. This aligns with Apple’s trend of offering approximately five years of software updates for its iPhones. If Apple maintains this five-year window, iOS 18 is likely to support iPhones released in 2019 and later. Consequently, the iPhone XR, XS, and XS Max might be excluded from the list as they reach the five-year mark in 2024.
Thus, the iPhone SE (2nd & 3rd gen) and all models from the iPhone 11, iPhone 12, iPhone 13, iPhone 14, and iPhone 15 series could be included in the list of devices compatible with iOS 18. Naturally, the iPhone 16 lineup is expected to ship with iOS 18 pre-installed. However, certainty on this matter awaits an official statement from Apple, which typically occurs around June each year.
That wraps up the current information available on iOS 18. As new details emerge, we’ll keep you updated with the latest news. What features do you hope to see in iOS 18? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below, we’re eager to hear from you!
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