Apple is preparing to release iOS 18, the next version of the iPhone operating system, within two months. The Cupertino tech giant is rolling out a major update that will bring changes to the front panel, AI-powered features, RCS support, and more.
If you’re looking forward to the iOS 18 update, you’ve come to the right place. Here’s everything you need to know about the upcoming iOS 18, including release date, supported devices, released features, and more.
iOS 18 Supported Devices
In terms of availability, a large number of Apple devices are in the process of receiving the long-awaited software update. There’s a good chance that the update will be available for all iPhones running iOS 17, meaning iPhone XR and newer models may receive the update.
Apple normally offers five main iPhone upgrade software. However, Apple occasionally extends software update support to certain devices. If it happens this year, we can assume that iOS 18 will be available on iPhone XR, iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max and new models.
Here’s the complete list of iPhones that are expected to support the iOS 18 update.
- iPhone 15 Pro Max
- iPhone 15 Pro
- iPhone 15
- iPhone 15 Plus
- iPhone 14 Pro Max
- iPhone 14 Pro
- iPhone 14
- iPhone 14 Plus
- iPhone 13 Pro Max
- iPhone 13 Pro
- iPhone 13
- iPhone 13 Mini
- iPhone 12 Pro Max
- iPhone 12 Pro
- iPhone 12
- iPhone 12 Mini
- iPhone 11 Pro Max
- iPhone 11 Pro
- iPhone 11
- iPhone SE 2nd Gen
- iPhone SE 3rd Gen
- iPhone XS*
- iPhone XS Max*
- iPhone XR*
iOS 18 Release Date
Apple has officially confirmed the dates for this year’s global developer conference, WWDC 24. The event is expected to take place at Apple Park between June 10-14. During WWDC 24, Apple introduces iOS 18, expanding the features and operating system.
Initially, Apple will release the iOS 18 update to developers for testing. Once the second phase of testing is reached, the update will be transferred to public beta testing. The first public beta update is expected to be released in July.
However, the official version or stable version is expected to be released around the same time as the next iPhone, the iPhone 16 series.
iOS 18 New Features
A series of leaks reveal the most important updates coming to iPhone with iOS 18. There are only two months left until the iOS 18 announcement, and there is a lot of information to give us an idea about what’s new on the iPhone. Let’s shine a light on it.
Siri is getting better
Apple Inc. It plans to update the underlying language model to reflect the nature of artificial intelligence. Rumor has it that Siri will have the ability to chat better, improve message interactions, and integrate more deeply with the Shortcuts app.
However, some of these may be exclusive to the upcoming iPhone 16 series or the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max with Apple’s A18 Bionic chip.
Google Generative AI
Google’s Pixel 8 smartphone is packed with generative AI features thanks to its built-in Tensor G3 chip. In parallel, South Korean technology giant Samsung introduced the Galaxy S24 equipped with Galaxy AI (a great name for AI features). After other Android OEMs followed suit, the recently announced Moto Edge 50 Pro also supports some artificial intelligence features.
Some rumors suggest that Apple will bring AI features to the iPhone with the latest version of iOS 18. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman said Apple’s senior management described the upcoming operating system as “very ambitious and inspiring.”
He later added that the company is racing to catch up with Google and OpenAI in artificial intelligence production with the latest iOS 18.
In another interview, Gurman said Apple is creating more AI-based productivity features. This could mean that more AI features will come with iOS 18. At the time of this writing, there is no information about the specific AI features Apple is working on. But we can expect the update to add AI magic to the Photos app, Apple Music (with auto-generated playlists), Notes, Pages, Freeform, and Keynote.
Bloomberg and The New York Times reported that Apple is in talks with Google about integrating Gemini AI into the iPhone and the upcoming iOS 18.
Design Changes and Home Page Redesign
After adding special features to the iPhone lock screen with iOS 15 and iOS 16, Apple is now trying to change the design in the operating system. “Apple is working on an iOS feature update starting this year,” Mark Gurman said in a subscriber Q&A in the magazine’s Power On section.
According to the details, the company is expected to bring a VisionOS-inspired design to iOS 18. But while the update is expected to bring special features to the home screen, we’ll have to wait for the WWDC keynote to get better information on how Apple will implement the design change in iOS.
Apple Maps
Apple Maps gets better with every iOS update and the same is expected for iOS 18. The update is expected to offer support for standalone routes, allowing you to bypass pre-selected options and create your own routes, add stops and more. It is also expected that Apple will bring the tenth topographic map to the iPhone.
Available RCS Support
Last year, Apple confirmed that RCS support would be coming to the iPhone. Google also recently unexpectedly announced the release date of its long-awaited messaging service. The report indicates that the feature will be available on eligible devices this fall.
For those who don’t know, RCS stands for Rich Communication Services, which is the next version of SMS/MMS. With RCS support coming to iPhone, users will now be able to easily send and receive photos or videos between iPhone and Android devices. Not only that, but it also allows real-time typing, read receipts, group chats, and emoji reactions.
Here’s the complete list of features coming with RCS.
- Ability to send messages over cellular or WiFi (no cost for messages sent through WiFi)
- High-resolution photos and videos sharing with Android users.
- Support for sharing large files with Android devices.
- Read receipts.
- Real-time typing indicators.
- Audio Messages.
- Group Chats.
- Cross-platform emoji reactions.
For iPhone-to-iPhone communications, users can still utilize the iMessage.
So, this is all about the upcoming iOS 18 update. We will add more details once available.