Apple recently announced the release of iOS 18 during its “It’s Glowtime” event on September 9, where it also unveiled the iPhone 16 series, new Apple Watch Series 10, and updated AirPods. iOS 18 is set to introduce a plethora of new features aimed at enhancing customization and usability on devices.
The official release date for iOS 18 is September 16, just days ahead of the iPhone 16 launch on September 20. However, it’s important to note that not all features will be available immediately. Some functionalities, particularly smart home features, will be rolled out in iOS 18.1, which does not yet have a confirmed release date.
Among the highlights of iOS 18 is a more customizable Home Screen, giving users the flexibility to arrange apps according to their preferences rather than following a strict grid layout. Users will also be able to implement new Dark and Tinted Home Screen themes, adding vibrant colors to wallpapers and app icons.
The Control Center now allows for greater customization, enabling users to create multiple pages and easily adjust the placement and size of control options. This means users can dedicate one page entirely to smart home controls or arrange their frequently used controls in one place.
Several Apple applications are also being updated, including iMessage, which will allow any emoji as a Tapback reaction and support text formatting options like underlining and italics. Additionally, RCS support will enhance messaging across platforms. The Photos app receives a redesigned layout, and users can secure apps with Face ID to protect sensitive content. Password management will transition to a dedicated Passwords app instead of being found under Settings.
One of the significant additions to iOS 18 is Apple Intelligence, which encompasses the company’s new AI features. However, users will have to wait for iOS 18.1 to access these capabilities, which are expected to be introduced around late October. Initial AI features will include tools for writing and summarizing text, suggested replies in Messages, call recording and transcripts, and notification summaries.
Some features are still under wraps and may be released later, including notable innovations such as Image Playground, Genmoji, Siri enhancements (including integration with ChatGPT), and on-screen awareness features. While some AI capabilities are slated for 2025, the ChatGPT integration is anticipated to be available by the end of 2024.
iOS 18 will support the same devices as iOS 17, ensuring compatibility for users with older iPhone models. Nonetheless, Apple Intelligence features will be limited to the iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, and all iPhone 16 devices. The list of compatible devices includes the iPhone 15 series, iPhone 14 series, iPhone 13 series, iPhone 12 series, iPhone 11 series, iPhone XS, XR, and both generations of the iPhone SE.