In June 2024, Apple is expected to unveil iOS 18, which promises to be “the biggest update in iPhone history.” What do we know about its new products? Unsurprisingly, iOS 18 should put generative artificial intelligence in the spotlight.
What will be new in iOS 18? This type of prediction is never easy. Historically, no one has ever been completely right about Apple’s software updates, since the brand involves far fewer partners than with a new iPhone, which reduces the risk of leaks. Additionally, software is often unpredictable. Apple may consider different features and then abandon them before the official announcement.
A few months before the presentation of iOS 18, the arrival of certain new features nevertheless seems very likely. In this article, Numerama brings together the information that we consider reliable on the next iPhone update. It will be regularly updated, based on rumors and official announcements.
When will iOS 18 be presented?
Since 2011, Apple has presented the new version of iOS every year in June, during its major WWDC conference (its event for developers). Logically, iOS 18 should be unveiled at the beginning of June, from Apple Park, during the opening day of WWDC 24. It should be accompanied by iPadOS 18, macOS 15, tvOS 18, watchOS 11 and visionOS 2 .
What about the official date? It should not take long to be announced, since Apple generally announces its WWDC at the end of March. Based on previous years, we can bet on the Monday 3rd june where the Monday June 10.
What will be new in iOS 18 on iPhone?
A new home screen?
Every year, rumors of a redesign of the iPhone interface circulate. However, since iOS 7 in 2013, Apple has barely touched its smartphone. Some think that iOS 18 of 2024 will change icons and menus, but nothing serious is going in this direction in March 2024.
On the other hand, several serious media, such as Bloomberg and MacRumors, agree on the arrival of a customizable home screen. According to MacRumors, it will be possible to put icons wherever you want, including by creating spaces. A sort of homage to the first iPhone, which had an iTunes icon offset from the other icons.
Generative artificial intelligence everywhere?
The iPhone already uses artificial intelligence (for sorting photos, suggestions in messages, etc.), but it could go much further in 2024.
Lagging behind OpenAI, Google, Microsoft or Amazon, Apple should officially enter the generative AI war with iOS 18.
Expected: several in-house models which should work locally (without connection), to carry out several important tasks. We are talking in particular about summarizing messages, transcribing voice notes, tools for modifying photos or playlist creators. Apple would rely heavily on the power of its Apple Silicon chips, the only ones capable of generating responses without going through servers, which would protect the privacy of its users (but limit functions). Either way, iOS 18 will have AI everywhere.
A historic partnership with Google?
What about Siri, which is lagging behind ChatGPT (to say the least)? For long responses, which require a lot of computing power, rumor has it that Apple could turn to an external service provider. Google Gemini could be the iPhone’s language model, for generating complicated documents or responses. Apple has also reportedly contacted OpenAI (GPT-4) and Baidu (in China), which indicates that different choices could be offered.
RCS, great replacements for SMS?
Apple has confirmed: the iPhone will support RCS, the standard that replaces SMS, in 2024. On the other hand, Apple does not say when. Logic would dictate that iOS 18 introduces this new feature in June, unless Apple reserves it for iOS 18.1 or 18.2 at the end of the year.
What is RCS? This is an advanced version of SMS, which goes via the Internet. They will allow you to exchange high definition attachments, videos, voice memos or create group conversations between iOS and Android. Apple has warned that they will keep green bubbles, since the blue bubbles will remain exclusive to iMessage (we can expect new features for iMessage, to distinguish it from RCS).
No more cohabitation with the Apple Vision Pro?
Launched in February 2024 in the United States, the Apple Vision Pro will receive its first major update simultaneously with iOS 18.
We can imagine that the iPhone update will introduce some essential new features, such as the possibility of unlocking the smartphone when wearing the headset or seeing its screen in the Vision Pro with AirPlay. Today, the Vision Pro communicates mainly with Macs.
Other new features in iOS 18?
Obviously, iOS 18 will introduce many other new features. We think of music, CarPlay or new applications. But nothing has leaked yet.
Which iPhones will be compatible with iOS 18?
According to the latest rumors, iOS 18 will be compatible with all iPhones that support iOS 17. Starting with the iPhone XR/XS and the second generation iPhone SE, therefore. However, we must wait for Apple to make it official; the brand has a habit of abandoning a generation with each launch of a new OS (with some exceptions).
When will it be possible to install iOS 18 on iPhone?
Generally, Apple’s calendar is divided into three moments:
- Developer beta: The first preview version of iOS 18 is expected to release on WWDC night, but it will officially be developer-only (with no posting of screenshots, etc.).
- Public beta: between the end of June and the beginning of July, Apple should offer the general public the opportunity to install a beta of iOS 18.
- Final version : iOS 18 is expected to be released in September, in the week before the iPhone 16 launch.
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