Apple has announced the next major software upgrade for the iPhone: iOS 18. At its Worldwide Developers Conference on June 10, Apple put a significant focus on artificial intelligence and generative AI features with the introduction of Apple Intelligence. The operating system update is expected to be released to all users with compatible iPhones in September. Here's a list of iPhone models that will support iOS 18: iPhone XR, iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, and iPhone 15 Pro Max. iPadOS 18 will drop support for the first-generation iPad Pro (2020) and second-generation iPad Pro (2023), but the seventh-generation iPad will still be supported. Some features of Apple Intelligence may not be available on older iPhone models.
Apple Intelligence is an AI-powered overhaul of the iPhone operating system that aims to help users send emails, save time, and express themselves more effectively with easy-to-use prompts. The homescreen is also more customizable with flexible icon placement and darker tones in dark mode. Control Center is getting more advanced with multiple pages of controls and toggles for important features, allowing third-party apps to offer integration for the first time.
Users can replace default camera and flashlight icons on the lock screen with preferred Control Center toggles. iOS 18 increases privacy by allowing users to require authentication for specific apps or hide them altogether until verified. Users can control which contacts third-party apps can access.
The Photos app is getting a significant revamp, making it easier to find specific photos by organizing them in more ways, such as month and year or theme. Siri improvements include natural language understanding for Siri and contextually relevant responses. Users can type Siri requests on the iPhone by double-tapping the bottom of the screen instead of speaking.
The Messages app is updated with scheduling messages to send later, react to messages with more Tapbacks and text effects, and RCS (Rich Communication Support) for Messages. Game Mode improves gaming performance and responsiveness with AirPods and wireless gaming controllers. The Mail app is organized better with new categories like receipts, newsletters.
Apple Intelligence is a significant step forward in the integration of AI into the iPhone operating system, making it more powerful and user-friendly than ever before.