Apple’s next big update for the iPhone, iOS 18, is all set to be unveiled on June 10th, 2024. Time Cook, Craig Federighi, and their team will present the details during the keynote of WWDC 2024 in California.
iOS 18 is rumored to be a big update. We might see new generative AI features for the first time on iPhones, a new redesign for iOS that might take inspiration from Vision OS, an update to Siri, support for RCS, and changes due to the ongoing antitrust case against Apple.
Here is everything you should know about Apple’s next big update. We have gathered all the rumors and opinions on the upcoming Apple update.
Table of Contents
What to Expect in iOS 18
Generative AI on iPhone
Almost everyone is now chasing AI. We have already seen major AI improvements in smartphones. Google Pixel, known for its AI features, has had AI capabilities for years. Recently, Samsung, Apple’s biggest competitor, added new Generative AI features to the Galaxy S24 series.
It is said that Apple has been working on AI for a couple of years. The company has acquired several AI startups in the past few years. In a recent Apple earnings call, Tim Cook said that the company is investing heavily in AI and that AI features will be coming to the iPhone this year.
In his latest blog post, Mark Gurman claims that Apple’s iOS 18 could be the biggest update in the history of iOS, bringing a slew of new AI features to the iPhones.
Apple should introduce useful features, not fancy AI features that are nice to have but impractical for the average user.
While details on the specific AI features are brief, the most notable AI-generative features we can expect in the upcoming iOS 18 are improvements to Siri, with new capabilities and more intelligence (hopefully). Various AI features in apps like Apple Photos, such as the addition of new photo-generative features, Apple Music’s new auto-generated playlists, and AI-assisted text and slide document creation in the Apple Pages and Keynote apps, and also new AI assistant in Safari browser.
Apple is also developing its generative AI technology, with a large language model called Ajax and an internal chatbot called Apple GPT. There are two types of AI: on-device AI, which runs locally on a device, and cloud AI, which runs on the cloud to complete tasks. Apple might use a combination of both on-device and cloud AI to bring generative AI features to the iPhone.
Apple is in talks to build Google's Gemini AI engine into the iPhone in what could become the biggest agreement that would shake up the AI industry. @markgurman has more on the exclusive https://t.co/pwkH1FRMbG pic.twitter.com/TMYPJsrl1F
— Bloomberg (@business) March 18, 2024
According to a recent report by Bloomberg, Apple is considering using Google Gemini to build generative AI capabilities into Apple devices and Chinese search engine Baidu to use AI capabilities in China.
Google and Apple have an ongoing deal to make Google Search the default search engine on the iPhone. Apple could consider Google because the company has already developed AI features for Samsung. However, the report also mentions the inclusion of OpenAI and more.
Generative AI features can be very useful regardless of the device. Samsung’s generative features are pretty good and add value to users. Considering the trend, we can expect generative AI features on the iPhones with iOS 18.
New Home Screen Customization Features and Visual Improvements
In the months leading up to major iOS updates, there is often speculation and high hopes for an iOS redesign. However, Apple has maintained a consistent design for iOS over the years. This year, things are likely to change.
Reports suggest that Apple is revamping the visual user interface, and we could expect a significant design overhaul in iOS 18. According to rumors and our expectations, iOS 18 could feature a more modern interface with glassy elements inspired by the Vision OS, but we don’t expect a major design change. Apple’s iOS already has a glossy design, and we can assume that some elements are inspired by Vision OS.
The most important customization feature in iOS 18 will be home screen customization. Apple will likely introduce new Home screen customization options after adding new lock screen customization features and new widgets in the last two updates.
This year, with the iOS 18, Apple is expected to bring home screen customization features. We don’t know exactly what features the customization will have. According to rumours, two features Apple might introduce are round app icons and the ability to place apps anywhere on the home screen. These minor updates from Apple are always welcome, as they allow iPhones to look more personal.
Siri 2.0
Siri is finally getting an update with iOS 18 after being relatively ignored by Apple for years. Siri received its last major update with iOS 15, and since then, Siri has not been significantly developed in subsequent OS updates. Siri has fallen behind in modern, everyday tasks compared to the competing Google Assistant, which has now been replaced by Gemini and offers even better performance than Siri.
The new Siri will receive generative AI support, which means it can respond more intelligently to text. Siri could get new features that will be integrated into apps to fetch more information; an improved Spotlight search for better results and more is also expected. Siri is also expected to be integrated into the Shortcuts app for better task completion.
Generative AI may finally make Siri a better virtual assistant. It is unclear whether Siri will use Apple’s Large Language Model (LLM) or an external LLM. The choice of LLM will have a significant impact on Siri’s performance.
Support for RCS Messaging
Apple iMessage will finally support RCS (Rich Communication Services). While RCS support won’t make a huge difference in messaging for iPhone users, it’ll finally allow Android users to have a rich messaging experience. This support will improve the standard messaging experience on Android and iPhone. RCS will support higher resolution photos, videos, audio messages, typing indicators and receipts.
Apple has officially confirmed that it’ll support the cross-platform messaging standard RCS in the iMessage app on iPhone starting later in 2024, likely with the iOS 18 update.
Forced Features
Didn't see that coming 😳 pic.twitter.com/4Xohphh93p
— Raju PP (@rajupp) March 21, 2024
The ongoing dispute between Apple and the Department of Justice (DoJ) could have a significant impact on Apple’s upcoming features. The US sued Apple for its monopolistic practices and maintaining an illegal monopoly in the smartphone market by locking in customers. The Department of Justice accuses Apple of restricting super apps, not providing support for RCS, blocking cloud streaming apps and limiting the functionality of third-party watches on the iPhone.
As the case is an ongoing investigation into Apple, if some of the allegations prove to be true, Apple may have to change its products, which could have an impact on iOS 18. However, it is still very early to determine the potential impact of these changes, as these antitrust cases usually take several years. In response, Apple could relax some restrictions in order to defend itself.
iOS 18 Release Date
iOS 18 will be unveiled at Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) on June 10 2024. Apple usually unveils the public developer betas sometime in July 2024. Anyone can then sign up to download and use the iOS 18 beta. The new stable version of iOS 18 is expected to be released in September 2024.
iOS 18 Support List
- 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 generation)
- iPhone SE (3rd generation)
Upcoming Updates on iOS 18
These are the most important updates we can expect in iOS 18. In addition, iOS 18 brings smaller updates like new accessibility features, customizable voice commands, updates to the built-in Freeform app, and more. In the coming days, we can expect more details about the upcoming iOS 18. We’ll keep you updated with new features as soon as iOS 18 is released.
Updates
- April 10, 2024: Added new Safari browsing AI assistant coming to iOS 18.
