September is usually the month when Apple not only debuts the next-generation iPhones but also gives a new lease of life to the older models. These annual iOS updates keep the older models relevant and fresh for far longer than any equivalent Android smartphone. For example, consider 2019’s iPhone 11; it still runs the latest version of iOS with most of the bells and whistles offered on the latest iPhone 15. Not to forget, it will be eligible for the next-gen iOS 18 software update, the rumours of which hint this OS could steer the iPhone in a new direction.
Although the first glimpse of iOS 18 will be given at the WWDC 2024 event, industry insiders familiar with the internal product development teams have sprinkled rumours for enthusiasts to draw a rough picture of what to expect. iOS 18 is shaping up to be a massive software update that could change the way you use your iPhone. With generative AI being the new buzzword, it seems that Apple might follow Google and Samsung this year to liven up its existing iPhone range.
More importantly, it could empower the iPhone 16 series with advanced generative AI features that may send engineers at Google and Samsung back to the drawing board.
So, what is Apple cooking at Cupertino and how will it reinforce existing iPhones to counter the growing challenge from generative AI-empowered Android rivals? It is time to find out.
iOS 18: All the rumours, in a nutshell
Unlike Android, where current-gen trends decide the future of the OS, iOS keeps its evolutionary features subtle and focuses on those that Apple considers crucial for its iPhone users. A case in point is the subtle yet effective Focus modes in iOS 15 and the improved AirDrop features in iOS 17.
However, every once in a while, Apple likes to shake up things and mark a bold new direction for its mobile OS. After the major UI overhaul in iOS 14 and iOS 16, Apple is rumoured to incorporate generative AI at the core of iOS 18.
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iOS 18 features at a glance
AI at the heart of everything
Although Google may have nabbed the limelight by banking on its generative AI-powered editing tools on its Pixel 8 series, Apple has been using AI in subtle ways to do basic editing and visual search. It was in iOS 16 where you could long-tap on a subject to share their cutout as a sticker on messages while iOS 17 offered a rudimentary form of Google’s newest Circle to Search via the Photos app.
With iOS 18, Apple may throw subtlety out of the window and smarten up iOS in key areas. The Siri voice assistant is expected to get wiser with its searches and return more intelligent responses, just like Google Bard and ChatGPT. Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman says that Siri could converse in a fashion more acceptable to humans and may get better at understanding context.
With these improvements, Siri could end up as one of the smartest AI assistants on a modern-day smartphone. Unlike Google Assistant, Siri’s greater control over iOS apps and functions could upscale the user experience to the next level.
Another area where AI could make a big impact is Messages, especially in predictive suggestions. Apple could use generative AI to quickly suggest better versions of your text message with different tones to suit the mood. However, this feature could be reserved as an exclusive one for iMessage rather than opening it up for all third-party messaging apps.
Beyond Siri and suggestions, AI is also likely to be deeply integrated with most Apple apps and services. Gurman says that generative AI on iOS 18 could help curate personal playlists in Apple Music (something that Spotify is already great at), summarise webpages in Safari, add one-touch advanced editing in Photos and better editing features in iWork apps like Pages and Keynote.
RCS text messaging
After a lot of external pressure, Apple is finally going to upgrade its standard messaging service with RCS and that change might be introduced on iOS 18. With RCS, iPhone users will be able to send photos, videos, voice notes, see read receipts and message reactions in conversations with non-iPhone contacts. However, iMessage will continue to exist as a separate service for iPhone users and other than the new AI features, it may continue to reserve the blue bubble for chats.
More than one App Store
After mandating the USB-C charging connector for iPhones, the EU has also pressured Apple to reduce its monopoly over iOS’s app distribution situation and open up the operating system to third-party app stores. This could have larger implications for the Apple ecosystem by giving more options to both developers and users in how they consume their apps. It might also open iOS to a lot of external malware and security threats as a result of sideloading apps, something that Android users worry about a lot.
However, note that iOS will only allow sideloading in the regions governed by the EU and for the rest of the world, the App Store is likely to remain the only source of Apple apps on iOS devices.
iOS 18 compatibility: End of life for iPhone XR?
For the revolutionary update that iOS 18 is touted to be, Apple could drop support of its oldest generation iPhones in favour of a feature-rich experience for users of its newer models. Given that iOS 17 dropped software support for 2017’s iPhone X and iPhone 8 series, the iOS 18 update may let go of the 2018 iPhone Xs series as well as the popular iPhone XR.
On a positive note, Apple may bring this AI-infused iOS 18 update to the following generations of iPhones.
– iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone 11 Pro Max
– iPhone SE 2nd Gen
– iPhone 12, iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max
– iPhone 13, iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max
– iPhone SE 3rd Gen
– iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max
– iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max
iOS 18 expected release date
If Apple follows its set pattern, then iOS 18 could be first unveiled at the WWDC 2024 event in June 2024 and after months of beta testing, the final version of iOS 18 could be released in late September 2024, provided the development cycle accelerates without any setback.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
– What are the rumoured features of iOS 18?
The iOS 18 update is expected to incorporate generative AI features at its core, introduce RCS messaging alongside iMessage and sideloading apps via third-party app stores.
– When is iOS 18 expected to be released?
The stable build of iOS 18 is expected to be released in September 2024.
