iOS 18: Everything You need to know about next iPhone update

iOS 18: Everything You Need To Know About the Next Big iPhone Update in 2024

February 15, 2024
7:17 am

The forthcoming iOS update for this year holds immense significance, marking it as potentially one of the most crucial in recent times.

Each year, Apple unveils the latest iOS version at the dazzling Worldwide Developers Conference in June. Afterward, it embarks on a beta testing journey, initially exclusive to developers, and later extended to the public, leading up to its grand release in September, aligning with the launch of the newest iPhones.

While the familiar rhythm of this process remains a constant, the excitement lies in the anticipation of what iOS 18 has in store. Rumors and leaks are swirling, painting a picture of what could be one of the most transformative iPhone software updates in recent memory.

Here’s a sneak peek into the speculations, but remember, the final outcome might surprise us. The world of Apple leaks is a dynamic one, full of twists and turns. Nonetheless, let’s delve into what we believe awaits us with iOS 18.

iOS 18 features: The biggest iOS update…ever?

Mark Gurman from Bloomberg has delved deep into the realm of iOS 18 development, and according to his Power On newsletter, the buzz within Apple is that this upcoming operating system is shaping up to be nothing short of historic—potentially the grandest iOS update to date.

Get ready for a wave of groundbreaking AI features that go beyond the ordinary. Brace yourself for an abundance of ambitious updates and transformative changes, proving that iOS 18 is set to redefine the very essence of innovation. The anticipation is real, and the stage is set for a technological revolution!

iOS 18 release date: When will iOS 18 arrive?

Over the past decade, September has become the month of anticipation for iOS enthusiasts, with the release of the latest version. Tradition holds, and this year seems no different, as we eagerly await the unveiling. Let’s take a stroll down memory lane with the last five release dates for a glimpse into the iOS timeline:

iOS 17: September 18, 2023
iOS 16: September 12, 2022
iOS 15: September 20, 2021
iOS 14: September 16, 2020
iOS 13: September 19, 2019

Before the grand debut, Apple treats developers to an immediate beta after the June WWDC keynote, followed by a public beta in early July. The journey to perfection includes several betas, where features are crafted, adjusted, and sometimes bid farewell, all leading up to the grand spectacle in September. Get ready for the thrilling ride!

An all-new Siri

In the World of iOS 18, the spotlight shines brightly on the captivating theme of Artificial Intelligence. Specifically, it’s the world of generative AI, a realm Apple has cautiously approached while other tech marvels like ChatGPT, Bard, CoPilot, Dall-E, and Stable Diffusion have taken center stage, captivating the tech enthusiasts.

Within the secretive walls of Apple, there’s a silent revolution underway—a concerted effort to build a robust generative AI technology stack. The signs are everywhere, from Apple’s groundbreaking papers on Ajax, a formidable large language model, to Ferret, the intriguing object reference, and a host of other advancements including speech recognition models.

Hold your breath, because Siri, Apple’s virtual assistant, is gearing up for a spectacular “Generative AI” makeover. Armed with new large language models and cutting-edge AI, Siri is poised to ascend to unprecedented heights, promising an evolution that goes beyond the ordinary. Get ready for a Siri experience like never before!

AI everywhere

Siri’s not the only playground for Apple’s advanced AI playground. While the details are still under wraps, whispers suggest Apple is on a mission to infuse advanced AI features across its entire product spectrum. Brace yourself for AI magic in Apple Music’s playlist generation, code wizardry in Xcode, and the infusion of AI brilliance in Pages, Numbers, and Keynote, among other domains.

The strategy at play is expected to be a fusion of on-device AI for enhanced privacy, security, and responsiveness, coupled with the dynamic prowess of cloud-based AI for tackling more extensive tasks beyond the iPhone’s capabilities. And, as the winds of speculation blow, there’s a tantalizing hint that Apple might just take a plunge into the generative AI abyss. The stage is set for an Apple AI revolution across the tech landscape!

RCS support

In a surprising move late in 2023, Apple dropped a bombshell: RCS support is making its way to the iPhone. Hold onto your hats—Messages is still the go-to for default texting, and iMessage isn’t going anywhere. However, brace yourself for a twist—the “green bubbles” are now RCS, not SMS, when chatting with other RCS-enabled devices.

The only hitch? The grand reveal is set for “later in 2024,” likely making its debut in iOS 18, if not the subsequent updates. When the moment finally arrives, expect a texting revolution with read receipts, full-size images and videos, typing indicators, and a whole lot more when connecting with your Android-touting friends. The countdown to a more enriched messaging experience has officially begun!

Vision Pro influence

Apple’s visionOS is not just a glimpse into the future; it’s a canvas of innovation. Imagine circular home screen icons as the heralds of a visual revolution. Rumor has it, courtesy of the whispers at The Verifier, that Apple is weaving elements from the visionary Vision Pro glasses into the tapestry of iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 updates.

Hold onto your hats, for this could spell a seismic shift in the iOS landscape. It’s been over a decade since the last major redesign shook things up in iOS 17, and now, the winds of change are blowing once again. Brace yourselves for a potential iOS makeover that transcends the ordinary!

iOS 18 Compatibility Unveiled: Discover the Elite Lineup of iPhones Set to Embrace the Power of iOS 18.

The whispers in the tech corridors haven’t spilled specific details about iOS 18 compatibility, but the general buzz suggests a seamless transition. If your trusty iPhone rocked iOS 17, chances are it’s in line for the iOS 18 treat. From the reliable iPhone XR and XS to the second-generation iPhone SE, all the way up the evolutionary ladder to the anticipated iPhone 16 debuting this fall—here’s a lineup that promises to ride the iOS 18 wave. Brace yourselves for the compatibility revelation! Now, let’s revisit the iOS 17-supported heroes:

iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max
iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 14 Pro Max
iPhone 13, iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13 Pro, iPhone 13 Pro Max
iPhone 12, iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12 Pro, iPhone 12 Pro Max
iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone 11 Pro Max
iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max
iPhone XR
iPhone SE(2nd gen or later)

Behold the iPhone Symphony, ranging from the powerful iPhone 15 series to the trailblazing iPhone SE (2nd gen and beyond). As we ascend through the iterations, from the dynamic iPhone 14 to the iconic iPhone 11, each brings its own flavor to the iOS experience.

Yet, a word of caution: not all iPhones are created equal in the eyes of iOS 18. The freshest features might not grace the older models, as they might lack the hardware prowess—the robust Neural Engine or GPU needed for the AI marvels, or perhaps just a bit more RAM for that extra oomph. It’s the natural ebb and flow of new iOS releases, where innovation meets the limits of technology. Time to ponder which iPhone in this lineup will be your ticket to the iOS 18 wonderland!