iOS 18: Notable New Features

Apple is expected to release iOS 18 this year, and according to recent leaks, this will be the biggest update in years for iPhone users.

Early information suggests that iOS 18 will focus on deeper AI integration into the operating system, providing smarter and more personalized experiences for users. Additionally, support for RCS in the Messages app is a notable highlight, significantly improving the messaging experience between iPhone and Android users.

When will iOS 18 be released?

Recently, Apple officially confirmed that it will hold the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2024 on June 10. Traditionally, the company is highly likely to officially introduce new features of its next software suite, including iOS 18, iPadOS 18, macOS 11, tvOS 18, and more at this event.

The official version of the next iOS will be released alongside the next iPhone models this fall.

Explore more: iOS 18 Beta: Upgrade Now to Explore a New World on iPhone

What are the standout new features of iOS 18?

1. Smarter Siri and Generative AI

According to sources like journalists Gurman and Wayne Ma from The Information, iOS 18 will feature Generative AI capabilities for Siri, Spotlight, Shortcuts, Apple Music, Messages, Health, Numbers, Pages, Keynote, and more.

Apple CEO Tim Cook has teased multiple times that the company is working on creative AI and plans to share details later this year. Furthermore, Apple's marketing chief, Greg Joswiak, recently hinted at AI in a social media post about WWDC 2024.

Generative AI gained popularity in late 2022 when OpenAI released ChatGPT, a chatbot capable of answering questions and prompts in writing. The company has also expanded into Generative AI tools for images and videos. Other companies like Google and Microsoft have also ventured into the Generative AI space, and this technology is developing rapidly.

However, iOS 18 is unlikely to include Apple's own ChatGPT-like chatbot. Instead, Apple is said to have held discussions with companies like OpenAI, Google, and China's Baidu about potential AI partnerships. This could lead to the integration of other chatbots into iOS 18.

Some rumors also suggest that the iPhone 16 Pro series will have exclusive AI features as these phones come with more powerful new chipsets and an improved multi-core Neural Engine.

2. More customizable home screen

Journalist Mark Gurman of Bloomberg recently revealed that iOS 18 will allow users more customization on the iPhone home screen interface.

Meanwhile, MacRumors exclusively reported that iOS 18 will finally allow users to place app icons anywhere on the Home Screen. This means users will be able to create gaps, columns, and rows between app icons. This basic feature has long been available on Android smartphones, and Apple plans to bring it to the iPhone.

3. New Apple Maps features

MacRumors recently revealed two potential new Apple Maps features coming with iOS 18: custom routes and topographic maps.

With the custom routes feature, Apple Maps users will be able to choose specific roads to travel while navigating. This feature is expected to be available only in the U.S. at launch. Google Maps already allows users to create custom routes on the web and then view them on iPhone.

Meanwhile, Topographic maps first launched on the Apple Watch last year with watchOS 10, and now sources suggest this feature will be expanded to iPhone, Mac, and Vision Pro with iOS 18, macOS 15, and VisionOS 2. These maps will include details such as trails, elevations, and favorite points for hiking and other outdoor uses.

4. RCS support in Messages app

RCS support will bring the following improvements to the default messaging experience between iPhones and Android phones:

• Higher resolution photos and videos.
• Audio messages.
• Typing indicators.
• Read receipts.
• Wi-Fi messaging between iPhones and Android devices.
• Improved group chat.

These exciting features are already available for iPhone-to-iPhone conversations through iMessage with blue bubbles. Many of these features are also available in third-party messaging apps like WhatsApp and Telegram.

5. Design changes

According to Gurman, Apple plans to update the iOS user interface design earlier this year. He previously said that iOS 18 would have "significant new features and designs," but details about these changes have yet to be revealed.

Which devices will support iOS 18?

A recent rumor suggests that Apple will only support iPhone XS, XS Max, and XR models and later. This means users of iPhone X and iPhone 8 series will not experience the new features of this operating system.

Below is a list of iPhone models that will be updated to iOS 18:

• 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)

These are the details we know so far about iOS 18. What changes and new features are you looking forward to in this update? Leave your comments below this article!