Apple announced a range of AI features with iOS 18, significantly improving Siri, Notes, Photos, Mail and other apps. Plus, there are a host of smaller upgrades to almost every app that together make big changes to the way you use your iPhone.
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 iOS 18 news and rumors.
When will iOS 18 be released?
Apple announced a new version of iOS on June 10, 2024 at the Worldwide Developers Conference, better known as WWDC.
However, we will have to wait until the autumn of 2024 for the final version, which will be rolled out with the iPhone 16. If you can’t wait that long, there is an option to participate in the Apple Beta program (read more on our sister site, Macworld)which gives you access to the unfinished versions of the latest iOS builds.
It is important to note that these iterations of the software are still in development and often contain bugs and other issues. So we only recommend this route if you’re confident you can work with beta software or if you have an iPhone that you don’t mind serving as a test machine.
Which iPhones are compatible with iOS 18?
Apple hasn’t yet confirmed which iPhones will be compatible with iOS 18. But what we do know is that to access the AI ​​Apple Intelligence features, you’ll need an iPhone 15 Pro or later.
When iOS 17 arrived in 2023, the iPhone 8 and iPhone X models were left off the list. This time we could say goodbye to the iPhone XS, XS Max, XR and iPhone SE (2nd generation). But it’s certainly not guaranteed and we’ll have to wait and see.
Here is the list of devices that support iOS 17:
- iPhone 15
- iPhone 15 Plus
- iPhone 15Pro
- iPhone 15 Pro Max
- iPhone 14
- iPhone 14 Plus
- iPhone 14 Pro
- iPhone 14 Pro Max
- iPhone 13
- iPhone 13mini
- iPhone 13 Pro
- iPhone 13 Pro Max
- iPhone 12
- iPhone 12mini
- 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 or later)
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
What new features will be available in iOS 18?
Apple has announced a flood of new features coming to iOS 18. Here are some of the biggest and best:
- Home screen customization: There will be a lot more flexibility in customizing your home screen, with new controls for app icons, new dark mode icons, and the ability to color app icons to match your wallpaper.
- New control gallery: You even have the option to switch the flashlight and camera on your lock screen.
- New app privacy options: You can lock your apps. Locked apps won’t show notifications or appear in search results or Spotlight suggestions. You can choose to hide them completely if you prefer.
- iMessage changes: New formatting options include bold, italics, and strikethrough. There will also be animated text effects and the option to tap back with an emoji or sticker. You can also schedule messages. As expected, iMessage also gets RCS support.
- Mail is getting a new organizational tool called device categorization. It automatically sorts emails into one of four categories: primary, transactions, updates, and promotions.
- Photos gets its biggest redesign ever, with a new view and new organization tools, including Recent Days, which filters out screenshots and images of items like receipts to show you your best new photos. You can also share entire collections with one tap.
- Maps: New topographic maps are added for walking and hiking.
- Calendar: Reminders can now appear in your calendar.
- Wallet: Tap to Cash allows you to instantly transfer cash from phone to phone.
Apple Intelligence
In addition to the above features, which will be available on all handsets that can support iOS 18, there will be new AI features that are only available on the iPhone Pro and above.
These new tools will significantly enhance the capabilities of Siri and a range of apps.
Our sister publication Macworld has also reported on how iOS 18 appears to be the beginning Apple’s push into generative AIso hopefully it will bring some interesting and useful new improvements when it arrives later this year.
