An AI overhaul is reportedly in the works for Apple’s upcoming version of iOS, with iOS 18 expected to be one of the most significant software releases in 2024. According to early reports, it could be the biggest software update for iPhones ever, and given that we praised iOS 17 as one of the best updates in recent years, this is a highly anticipated prospect.
While we don’t have all the details yet about iOS 18 — at least not official confirmation of features — what we do have is listed below, as well as speculation on a potential release date and which devices we expect to be supported. In addition, later in this article, we will provide a list of key features we hope to see in iOS 18 to make it a standout update. We will also update this article as more information becomes available, so please stay tuned for further details.
Recent reports suggest that Siri may receive an upgrade with enhanced AI capabilities. What will be the next major iOS release? It will be iOS 18!When will iOS 18 be released? It is expected to be released in September 2024, based on previous release patterns.
How much will iOS 18 cost? It will be a free upgrade for existing users.
Can we expect to see iOS 18 at the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) next year? Yes, it is likely that iOS 18 will be announced at WWDC, as is the case for most major iOS updates.
What key features can we expect in iOS 18? Based on reports from industry analysts, several AI-powered features are likely to be included in this update, and they may be revealed at WWDC 2024 this year. Apple typically releases beta versions of new operating systems shortly after WWDC, so developers and early adopters can test them before the official release.To run iOS 18, users will need an iPhone model 11 and above. At this time, it is not yet known which devices will support iOS 18; however, iOS 17 has been confirmed to be supported on every iPhone model starting with the iPhone XR and above. Apple ceased support for the iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, and iPhone X in the year of their release (2017), suggesting that it is likely that iOS 18 may also discontinue support for these models. Therefore, users who wish to utilize iOS 18 should ensure that their device is an iPhone model 11 or later.
There have been reports that all devices receiving iOS 17 are expected to also receive iOS 18 updates. These reports have been confirmed by multiple sources, making it likely that this information is accurate. Leaks regarding iOS 18 have become more consistent, with reports indicating that Apple is heavily investing in AI servers and features. The first results of these efforts are expected in late 2024. In addition, there have been rumors that Apple’s AI-powered Siri may be unveiled at WWDC 2024, providing an opportunity to view iOS 18 for the first time.However, it appears that this feature may only be available on iPhone models 16 and later, suggesting that dedicated hardware may be required.
We do not yet know the specifics of the improvements Siri may bring, but an example of what it could offer is the potential replacement of the Shortcuts app with a simpler method for completing complex tasks. For example, users could ask Siri to generate a GIF from the past five photos they took and then send it to a contact using a simple voice command.
Another report has provided insight into the AI enhancements planned for Siri, indicating that it may become even more advanced with iOS 18. We have also heard that Apple may launch a dedicated App Store for AI-powered applications. This is expected to be announced at WWDC 2024 in June and is likely to be a part of iOS 18.Elsewhere, Mark Gurman from Bloomberg has reported that internally, Apple is describing iOS 18 as a significant update, calling it «ambitious and exciting» and featuring «several significant new features and enhancements».
The same source has also indicated that the visual design of iOS 18 could be significantly improved, although it will not be an exact copy of visionOS, a feature that has been rumored. We can expect to see some new aesthetic improvements in 2024, as well as other enhancements.
One potential change could be the ability to personalize the home screen of an iPhone more freely, such as adding gaps between application icons. We have also heard rumors of some new and enhanced accessibility features in iOS 18, including Adaptive Voice Shortcuts, which would allow users to activate various accessibility tools by saying a custom phrase. Additionally, iOS 18 may include a categories system for live speech and potentially allow users to adjust the font size in certain applications.However, according to reports, Apple has temporarily halted development of iOS 18 until November 2024 in order to address any bugs that may be present. This is an unusual occurrence that may indicate that some planned features have caused issues. As a result, certain features may be postponed or canceled. At this time, it is not yet known what will ultimately occur.
In January 2024, Gurman reaffirmed that iOS 18 would be one of the most significant updates, if not the most significant, in the history of iOS. Apple’s employees are treating this upcoming update as a major transition for the iPhone and iPad. It is expected that iPadOS 18 will launch alongside iOS 18 and share many of the same features, although there may also be some differences. For instance, iPadOS 18 may include access to the Journal app, which is currently only available on the iPhone.As for which devices will be updated to iPadOS 18, there has been speculation that Apple may stop supporting tablets with A10X and A10 processors. More recently, it has been reported that the sixth-generation iPad, second-generation 12.9-inch iPad Pro, and 10.5-inch 10-inch iPad Pro models will not be updated to this version of the operating system. This is consistent with reports that the 10.2-inch iPad from 2019 will still receive the upgrade, despite using an A10 Fusion chipset.
Some of the features we would like to see included in iOS 18 are:
1. Global rollout of key features
2. Ability to use Live Voicemail globally
3. Improved battery life
4. Strengthened security
5. New capabilities for the Health app
One of the most notable features of iOS 17 was the introduction of Live Voicemail, but it is currently only available in the United States and Canada. This means that iOS 17 and iPhone 15 models are essentially useless outside of these countries.It is a disappointing development, and while Google may arguably be more responsible for limiting certain phone features in the United States, Apple could still do better. For iOS 18, we expect that all features will be made available globally. If this is not possible, we would appreciate it if Apple were more transparent about this, rather than concealing information in fine print.
Another concern we have regarding Apple is its tendency to exclude Android users from certain features, such as iMessage and SharePlay. Although this may be understandable in some instances, it becomes less justifiable when these features relate to safety, such as Check In. This iOS 17 feature allows loved ones to receive automatic notifications when you arrive safely at home, or vice versa, letting them know if something may be amiss. In the latter case, selected individuals can also see the location of your phone.However, in order for the feature to function, both the sender and recipient must have iOS 17. This means that not only cannot Android users actively use the function, but they also cannot receive check-in notifications from others.
With iOS 18, it is hoped that Apple will open up the feature to Android users, so that even if they are unable to automate their own check-ins, they will still be able to receive these automated messages and alerts from friends and family using iOS.
Rumors suggest that Apple plans to heavily integrate artificial intelligence (AI) into iOS 18, with Siri being a major beneficiary. It is certainly hoped that this is the case, as Siri currently seems outdated compared to other tools such as ChatGPT. This is especially true given that ChatGPT Voice is now available as a free app on iOS.
These improvements to Siri could lead to more natural and intuitive conversations, as well as allowing Siri to perform more complex tasks beyond simply searching for information or switching lights on and off.One feature that we would like to see Apple incorporate from Android is the ability to quickly place a cursor in the middle of a word by tapping on it, so users can easily correct errors. Currently, users need to hold down the spacebar and drag the cursor to the desired position, which is acceptable but slower. Although we do not expect this feature to be included in iOS 18, we would appreciate its implementation nonetheless.
Overall, we are enthusiastic about the potential integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in iOS 18 and look forward to seeing Siri become a more capable and useful assistant. We would like to see advanced AI camera features implemented in iOS 18 beyond Siri. While we appreciate Apple’s efforts to integrate AI into its operating system, we prefer that they do so carefully and thoroughly rather than as haphazard or gimmicky additions.Specifically, we would like to see enhancements to photography tools that integrate AI. We envisage features such as Google’s Magic Eraser and Magic Editor, which would allow users to easily remove or reposition objects in photos. Additionally, it would be beneficial to see spatial photos and videos become more widely available, rather than remaining limited to users of Apple Vision Pro.
