In Short
  • Apple's iOS 18 is expected to make its debut at WWDC 2024.
  • Generative AI could be a huge part of iOS 18.
  • iPhone 11 and newer models are expected to grab a spot in iOS 18 supported devices list.

The next-gen iOS 18 is expected to be Apple’s massive update when it comes next year. That means we are still over seven months away from Apple’s next iOS upgrade, but there are a few rumors and expected features already hitting the horizon. The great news is iOS 18 might be Apple’s next big release, unlike the other software updates we’ve seen in the recent past. Sounds exciting, right? In this article, we’ve summed up everything about iOS 18 to keep you updated with the latest rumors, expected features, and more. We’ll keep updating this piece as the rumor cycle evolves

Rumored iOS 18 Features




A Major overhaul with fewer bugs

Several sources suggest that Apple is planning something big with its next iOS update cycle. This year’s iOS 17 packs some impressive features like NameDrop, Contact Posters, and more. But, we might not call it a major overhaul. Rather, it was more of polishing some features while throwing some new capabilities into the mix. Interestingly, this won’t be the case with iOS 18. According to Mark Gurman, the iOS 18 update could be “even more critical than usual” and Apple is taking extra care with the 2024 iOS update.

He further added that the iPhone 16 lineup may not be as noteworthy as the iPhone 15 series, which brings the 48MP primary camera to the vanilla models and a new titanium frame and powerful A17 Pro chipset to the Pro models.

Moving on, iOS 18 is likely to have comparatively fewer bugs and flaws. Earlier this month, Mark Gurman reported that Apple paused the development of its 2024 software updates to rule out any glitches and bugs in the code. Well, this is a rare move by Apple. This points to the fact that Apple is being extra cautious with bugs and issues. Therefore, we might see a more polished and less buggy software update next year.

Smarter Siri



Although it’s way too early to talk about iOS 18 features, initial reports suggest that Artificial Intelligence (AI) has a huge role to play in the next-gen iOS update. According to a report by Mark Gurman, iOS 18 will feature generative AI technology that became extremely popular last year when OpenAI released ChatGPT.

Also, Google and Microsoft introduced similar chatbots earlier this year, and many other companies have debuted in this space. The introduction of generative AI should “improve how both Siri and the Messages app can field questions and auto-complete sentences“. This feature is expected to make a debut with a software upgrade coming next year, which is iOS 18.

The Information also reported that the Cupertino tech giant plans to incorporate large language models into Siri for deeper integration with the Shortcuts app so users can automate complex tasks. Analyst Jeff Pu also corroborates with Mark Gurnam as he believes generative AI will be a huge part of iOS 18. What’s more interesting is the Apple team believes that its most advanced language model, Ajax GPT might be better than OpenAI’s GPT 3.5.

Support for RCS Messaging

apple-confirms-RCS-support-is-coming-to-iMessage-on-iPhone

This month, Apple confirmed that iPhones will support RCS Messaging from next year. Based on this timeframe, RCS Messaging on iPhone could be an iOS 18 feature. The RCS messaging standard should enable smooth communication between iPhone and Android users. It’s worth noting that Apple isn’t replacing iMessage on iPhone with RCS messaging. Rather, they both will co-exist on iPhones for a seamless experience. And, the communication between iPhone users will continue to rely on iMessage. When implemented, RCS should bring several improvements to the current messaging standard between iPhone and Android devices, which include:

  • Read receipts
  • Audio messages
  • Typing indicators
  • Higher-resolution photos & video
  • Location sharing
  • Better encryption
  • Improved group chats
  • Messaging using Wi-Fi