Apple is expected to introduce a range of AI features with iOS 18, significantly enhancing Siri, Notes, Photos, and potentially other apps.
So, when will iOS 18 be available, which iPhone models will it support, and what new features will it introduce? Read on for all the latest news and rumours about iOS 18.
When will iOS 18 be released?
Apple usually announces a new version of iOS at its Worldwide Developers Conference, more commonly known as WWDC.
This almost always takes place in early July, with the iOS announcement typically at the opening keynote on a Monday. With that in mind, an announcement on 10 June 2024 is possible.
Assuming iOS 18 is revealed around then, we’ll probably have to wait until September 2024 for the final version. Apple tends to announce a release date during its main iPhone event, so the iPhone 16 models can be shipped running the new software.
If you can’t wait that long, there’s an opportunity to join the Apple Beta Program (find out more on our sister site, Macworld), which grants you access to the unfinished versions of the latest iOS builds.
It’s important to note that these iterations of the software are still under development and often have bugs and other issues. So, we’d only recommend that route if you’re confident of working with beta software or have an iPhone that you don’t mind being a test machine.
Which iPhones will be compatible with iOS 18?
Apple hasn’t confirmed which iPhones will be compatible with iOS 18. But if the rumours of AI capabilities are true, it may spell the end for some older models.
When iOS 17 arrived in 2023, it left the iPhone 8 and iPhone X models off the list. This time around we could bid farewell to the iPhone XS, XS Max, XR and iPhone SE (2nd Gen). But it’s certainly not guaranteed and we’ll have to wait and see.
It could be the case that those iPhones do get iOS 18, but not all features will be supported. This is something Apple has done in the past, so there’s still hope if you use an older model.
Here’s the list of devices that support iOS 17:
- 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)
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
What new features can we expect from iOS 18?
It won’t be until WWDC in June that we’ll get any concrete announcements from Apple about what we’ll see in iOS 18. But there are already a few rumours that this could be a significant upgrade from iOS 17.
Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman said in a January 2024 newsletter: “I’m told that the new operating system is seen within the company as one of the biggest iOS updates – if not the biggest in the company’s history.”
So, what compelling new features will iOS 18 include? That’s not yet clear, but there are a few rumours.
RCS support
We do know that Apple is set to introduce support for RCS cross-platform messaging, which will improve the experience between iOS and Android devices.
The company issued a statement in late 2023 that confirmed this: “Later next year, we will be adding support for RCS Universal Profile, the standard as currently published by the GSM Association. We believe RCS Universal Profile will offer a better interoperability experience when compared to SMS or MMS. This will work alongside iMessage, which will continue to be the best and most secure messaging experience for Apple users.”
RCS is a new standard aimed to replace SMS/MMS as the default messaging standard across all platforms. It should integrate with existing messaging apps, such as iMessage and Google Messages, making it simple to share texts, group messages and photos. It’ll feature typing indicators so you know when someone is replying. It’ll also enable read receipts with friends, family and colleagues, no matter which device or app you’re using.
Text Effects in iMessage
According to MacRumors, Apple is planning to introduce several new features to the Messages app in iOS 18. These include a new text effects feature that animates individual words within a message, expanding on the current bubble and full-screen effects.
Although it is unclear what all of the effects will be, Apple might also add text formatting options such as bold, italics, and underline. The update might also include an AI-powered autocompletion tool.
Additionally, with the upcoming RCS support, these text effects might also apply to messages sent to non-iPhone users.
Updated Control Center
As reported by Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the upcoming iOS 18 update is expected to include updates to the Control Center.
Although previous rumours about revamps in iOS 15 and iOS 17 did not materialise, Gurman is considered a reliable source, so it might actually happen this time.
What’s more, MacRumors has indicated that Apple has internally tested a redesigned Control Center for iOS 18, but it remains uncertain if these changes will be finalised in the release.
AI boost for Siri and other apps
There could also be a huge upgrade to Siri, the often-criticised virtual assistant. In recent years, this service has fallen behind Alexa and the Google Assistant in many people’s estimations, but the introduction of generative AI could transform Siri for the better. And the Google Pixel 8 & 8 Pro and Samsung Galaxy S24 series give some clues as to what it could involve.
As reported by AppleInsider, Apple also plans to bring in a range of new AI features with iOS 18. They currently have the internal codename “Project Greymatter”. Key features might include:
- Greymatter Catch Up: A new notification summary feature providing smart recaps of missed notifications, web pages, notes, and documents. Users can ask Siri for a recap of recent notifications.
- Siri enhancements: Incorporation of Apple’s on-device LLM, a new smart response framework for more natural responses, deeper integration with contacts, calendar events, and locations, and cross-device media controls.
- Text Summarisation and Audio-to-Text Transcription: Available in both Siri and Notes.
- Photos app features: Generative AI tools, including a Clean Up feature to remove unwanted objects (similar to Google’s Magic Eraser) and Generative Playground for image generation and edits. Potential features could include moving/resizing subjects and filling missing areas in photos.
- Enhanced Notes app: In-app audio recordings, integration of text, audio and images in notes, and ‘Math Notes’ for mathematical notation, recognising equations, and providing solutions.
Our sister publication Macworld has also reported on how iOS 18 appears to be the start of Apple’s push on generative AI, so hopefully it will bring some interesting and useful new improvements when it arrives later this year.
