iOS 18: Release Timeline, Rumored Features, Device Compatibility, and What to Expect

iOS 18 could be a groundbreaking update for the iPhone, potentially the most significant in years.

According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, iOS 18 is poised to be “one of the biggest iOS updates — if not the biggest — in the company’s history.”

The driving force behind this major update is AI, which is set to play a central role in many of the new features planned for iOS 18. Among these is a redesigned Siri assistant. This puts Apple in a position to compete with Google, which emphasizes AI-driven features on its Pixel phones, and Samsung, which highlighted AI tools in its recent Galaxy S24 launch.

The question now is whether Apple can distinguish itself with the features planned for iOS 18. Here’s what we know so far about iOS 18 and its upcoming features.

iOS 18: Biggest Rumors

Release Date:

• Preview at WWDC 2024 on June 14, followed by a beta
• Full version expected in the fall

Supported Devices:

• All iPhones compatible with iOS 17 should support iOS 18

AI Features:

• Revamped Siri
• Generative AI capabilities
• AI features to run on the device, not reliant on the cloud

Interface Redesign:

• More customizable home screen

App Improvements:

• Custom routes in Maps
• Calendar and Reminders integration
• Recording capabilities for Notes app
• AI-assisted transcription and summaries

Other Features:

• RCS messaging support
• Enhanced accessibility features

iOS 18: Expected Release Date

While Apple hasn’t officially announced dates, the company’s predictable software release cadence provides a clear roadmap for the iOS 18 rollout:

WWDC 2024 Preview (June 10): Apple will likely offer a first look at iOS 18 and its new features during the Worldwide Developers Conference keynote on June 10, 2024.

Developer Beta: Following the WWDC preview, a developer beta of iOS 18 will be released, allowing developers to test the update and prepare their apps.

Public Beta (Late June/Early July): A few weeks after the developer beta, Apple typically releases a public beta, giving non-developers a chance to try out iOS 18 ahead of its final launch.

Stable Release (September): The full, stable version of iOS 18 is expected to arrive in mid-September 2024, coinciding with the release of new iPhone hardware, likely called the iPhone 16 series.

This well-established iOS release cycle suggests that iPhone users can expect to get their hands on iOS 18 and experience its AI-driven capabilities starting this fall.

Which iPhones Will Run iOS 18?

One of the biggest questions surrounding any new iOS release is which existing iPhone models will be able to run the updated software. Apple typically provides around 5 years of software support for each iPhone generation before dropping compatibility.

For iOS 18, rumors point to the iPhone XS and iPhone XR from 2018 potentially being the oldest devices to make the cut. A leak listed these models among those expected to be supported by iOS 18.

However, going by Apple’s 5-year update cycle, the iPhone XS, XS Max and XR would be on the chopping block as they were released in 2018 and will have reached that threshold by the time iOS 18 arrives.

Here’s a list of the iPhones expected to be compatible with iOS 18:

• iPhone 11
• iPhone 11 Pro
• iPhone 11 Pro Max
• iPhone 12 mini
• iPhone 12
• iPhone 12 Pro
• iPhone 12 Pro Max
• iPhone 13 mini
• iPhone 13
• iPhone 13 Pro
• iPhone 13 Pro Max
• iPhone SE (3rd Gen)
• iPhone 14
• iPhone 14 Plus
• iPhone 14 Pro
• iPhone 14 Pro Max
• iPhone 15
• iPhone 15 Plus
• iPhone 15 Pro
• iPhone 15 Pro Max

We’ll have to wait for Apple’s official confirmation during the WWDC preview to know for certain which iPhones will get to experience the AI-powered features of iOS 18. But it’s safe to assume that all iPhone models currently able to run iOS 17 will likely support the iOS 18 upgrade when it launches in the fall.

Devices that don’t make the cut will unfortunately be left behind on their current iOS version with no further software updates from Apple.

Major App Enhancements Coming in iOS 18

Along with the headlining AI and interface changes, iOS 18 is rumored to bring a host of significant improvements to many of Apple’s core apps and services. One major update is the addition of RCS (Rich Communication Services) support in the Messages app, enabling improved communication with Android devices by adding features like typing indicators and read receipts.

The Notes app is expected to receive the ability to embed recordings directly into individual notes, along with better handling of mathematical notation. Meanwhile, Calendar and Reminders are set to gain tighter integration, allowing users to create and manage reminders from within the Calendar app itself.

Safari, Apple’s web browser, could see AI-powered enhancements such as Intelligent Search for summarizing web pages and a “Web Eraser” tool to remove unwanted content like ads or images. The Maps app may also introduce custom route mapping capabilities.

Additionally, iPadOS 18, the iPad variant of iOS 18, is expected to finally introduce a native Calculator app, addressing a long-awaited addition to Apple’s tablet software. These enhancements across various apps aim to streamline common tasks and provide more powerful organization tools. Combined with the AI advancements, iOS 18 is shaping up to be a productivity powerhouse for iPhone users.

Empowering Accessibility with iOS 18

Apple has long been committed to making its products accessible to users with disabilities, and iOS 18 looks to continue that tradition with several new accessibility features and enhancements. According to reports, some of the key accessibility upgrades in the upcoming update include:

Adaptive Voice Shortcuts

This new capability will allow users to create custom voice phrases that trigger specific accessibility settings or actions. For example, you could set a voice command to enable Door Detection or adjust display settings with a simple spoken phrase.

LiveSpeech Improvements

Introduced in iOS 17, the LiveSpeech feature provides real-time transcription of audio. In iOS 18, Apple is expected to add the ability to categorize transcripts for better organization and quickly navigate between different audio sources.

Adjustable Text Expansion

While Adjustable Text already lets you increase font sizes across the system, iOS 18 may extend this accessibility option to more apps like Books, News, Tips, Weather, and Stocks.

Hearing Aid Mode for AirPods Pro 2

Bloomberg reports that iOS 18 will introduce a Hearing Aid Mode specifically for the AirPods Pro 2nd generation. This mode would enhance the existing Live Listen functionality to better transmit audio to hearing aids or implants.

These accessibility additions and refinements underscore Apple’s commitment to making iOS an inclusive experience for all users, regardless of their abilities or needs. By deeply integrating these tools, the company aims to empower people with disabilities to get the most out of their iPhones.

iOS 18: A Fresh Look and Feel

In addition to its powerful AI capabilities and app improvements, iOS 18 could also bring a visual overhaul to the iPhone’s software experience. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple is working on a redesign for iOS 18, though details on the extent of the changes are still scarce.

One area that seems ripe for an update is the home screen and app layout. Gurman suggests that iOS 18 could introduce improved customization options, potentially allowing users to arrange app icons more freely on the home screen grid, rather than being constrained by the current auto-aligning behavior.

Another leak from MacRumors claims to showcase a redesigned Camera app for iOS 18, featuring a refreshed look that draws inspiration from Apple’s visionOS interface for its upcoming mixed reality headset.

While a comprehensive visual overhaul remains unconfirmed, these reports indicate that iOS 18 could bring a fresh coat of paint and new customization capabilities to the iPhone’s user experience, complementing the significant functional upgrades expected in this major software update.

The Road Ahead for iOS 18

As Apple gears up to provide a first look at iOS 18 during its Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in June, anticipation continues to build for what could be one of the company’s biggest software releases to date. With AI-driven capabilities taking center stage, iOS 18 has the potential to redefine how users interact with their iPhones, ushering in a new era of intelligent, context-aware experiences.

From a revamped Siri assistant with conversational AI to on-device text summarization, audio transcription, and generative response capabilities, iOS 18 promises to seamlessly integrate artificial intelligence into various aspects of the iPhone experience. Coupled with app improvements, accessibility enhancements, and a potential design refresh, this update could mark a significant milestone in Apple’s software evolution.

While many details remain under wraps, one thing is clear: iOS 18 is shaping up to be a transformative release that could cement Apple’s position in the rapidly evolving AI landscape. As the tech giant continues to refine and polish its upcoming software, iPhone users worldwide eagerly await the opportunity to experience the full scope of iOS 18’s revolutionary features when it rolls out later this year.

Writing source:

• iOS 18: Possible release date, new features, supported devices and more
• wwdc24
• iOS 18