A new operating system for the iPhone is in the works at Apple. Find out when iOS 18 software update will be released, which iPhone models it will support, and what new features it will introduce.
Can you tell me when iOS 18 Update will be released?
During WWDC, Apple usually announces a new version of iOS.
iOS announcements usually take place at the opening keynote on a Monday in early July. Hence, an announcement on 3 June or 10 June 2024 is possible.
It’s likely we’ll have to wait until September 2024 for the final iOS 18. Apple typically announces a release date during its main iPhone event, so the iPhone 16 models can ship with the new software.
If you don’t want to wait that long, you can join the Apple Beta Program, which gives you access to unfinished iOS builds.
These iterations of the software are still in development and often have bugs and other issues. Therefore, we recommend going this route only if you’re comfortable working with beta software or if your iPhone will be used as a test device.
Which iPhone is compatible with iOS 18?
If the AI rumours are true, some older iPhone models may not be compatible with iOS 18.
iOS 17 left iPhone 8 and iPhone X models off the list in 2023. This time around, we may (although it’s certainly not guaranteed) say goodbye to iPhone XS, XS Max, XR, and iPhone SE (2nd Gen).
Those older iPhones may get iOS 18, but not all of the features may be supported. This is something Apple has done in the past, so there’s still hope.
iOS 17 supports the following devices:
- iPhone 15
- iPhone 15 plus
- iPhone 15 Pro
- iPhone 15 Pro Max
- iPhone 14
- iPhone 14 plus
- Phone 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 11pro
- iPhone 11 Pro max
- iPhone XS
- iPhone XS Max
- iPhone XR
- iPhone SE (2nd generation or later)
How will iOS 18 differ from iOS 17?
Apple won’t announce anything concrete about iOS 18 until WWDC in June, but there are already a few rumours that this could be a significant improvement over iOS 17.
According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the new operating system will be one of the biggest iOS updates in the company’s history.
In terms of new features, iOS 18 hasn’t been officially announced yet, but there are a few rumours floating around.
RCS support
The iOS and Android platforms will benefit from cross-platform messaging support for RCS, which Apple is introducing.
The company announced in late 2023 that it would add support for RCS Universal Profile, the standard currently published by the GSM Association, later next year.
As compared to SMS or MMS, RCS Universal Profile will offer a better interoperability experience. Apple’s best and most secure messaging service, iMessage, will also work with it.
SMS/MMS will be replaced by RCS as the default messaging standard across all platforms as a new standard known as RCS. In addition to integrating with existing messaging apps like iMessage and Google Messages, it should allow you to share texts, group messages, photos, as well as type indicators to let you know someone is responding. No matter what device or app you use, you’ll also be able to share read receipts with your friends, family, and colleagues.
Siri and other apps get an AI boost
In recent years, Siri has fallen behind Alexa and the Google Assistant in many people’s estimations. However, generative AI could transform Siri significantly.
As Gurman did not reveal exactly what would make iOS 18 such a big update, it is presumed to revolve around artificial intelligence. The Google Pixel 8 & 8 Pro and Samsung Galaxy S24 series provide some clues.
A lot of this focuses on photos, with the ability to remove subjects from a photo, move them/resize them or fill in any missing areas using generative AI. It feels as though some of the groundwork has already been laid in iOS by being able to lift people out of an image and then use them as stickers in messages.
A version of Google’s Best Take feature would not be out of the question, nor would some of the S24’s translation, transcription, or visual search features.
In addition to Messages, Apple Music could also benefit from AI search capability, as well as Notes, where the suggested replies could be improved.
When iOS 18 launches later this year, it will be Apple’s first attempt at generative AI, so hopefully it will bring some useful improvements.