iOS 18 is expected to be the “biggest” update in iPhone history. Below, we’ll summarize the rumored iPhone features and changes.
iOS 18 is rumored to include new generative AI features for Siri and many apps, and Apple plans to add RCS support to the Messages app for an improved messaging experience between iPhone and Android devices. The update is also expected to introduce a more responsive home screen and other user interface design changes, new features in apps like Apple Maps and Freeform, additional accessibility features and more.
Apple will announce iOS 18 at its annual WWDC developer conference, which is scheduled for June 10-14.
Smarter Siri and Generative AI
iOS 18 is rumored to have new generative AI features for Siri, Spotlight, Shortcuts, Apple Music, Messages, Health, Numbers, Pages, Keynote and more, according to sources such as BloombergMark Gurman and Informationis Wayne Ma.
Apple CEO Tim Cook has repeatedly teased that the company is working on generative artificial intelligence and plans to share details “later this year,” and Apple’s marketing chief Greg Joswiak also recently hinted at AI in a social media post about WWDC 2024.
Generative artificial intelligence grew in popularity in late 2022, when OpenAI released ChatGPT, a chatbot that can answer questions and other text queries. The company has also expanded into generative AI tools for images and videos. Other companies like Google and Microsoft have also pushed into the generative AI space, and the technology is evolving rapidly.
iOS 18 is not expected to include Apple’s chatbot similar to ChatGPT. Instead, Apple has reportedly held talks with companies such as OpenAI, Google and China’s Baidu about potential generative AI partnerships, which could lead to the integration of other chatbots into iOS 18, though Apple’s exact plans are unclear.
Some generative AI features could be exclusive to the iPhone 16 Pro models, which are rumored to have a Neural Engine with “significantly” more cores.
A more customizable home screen
iOS 18 will feature a “more customizable” home screen, according to Gurman.
MacRumors exclusively announced that iOS 18 will finally allow users to place app icons anywhere on the home screen grid. This means that users will be able to create empty spaces, columns and rows between app icons. This basic feature has been available on Android smartphones for a long time, and now Apple is bringing it to the iPhone.
iPhone users can already customize the home screen with apps like Shortcuts and Widgetsmith, which can be used to create “blank” app icons and widgets, but Apple’s official solution will be much more convenient.
We expect iOS 18 to include more customization options beyond icon layouts as part of the biggest home screen overhaul in years.
New features of Apple Maps
MacRumors recently revealed two potential new Apple Maps features coming with iOS 18: custom routes and topographical maps.
With the custom routes feature, Apple Maps users could choose specific roads to travel during navigation, for reasons such as familiarity or scenic views. The feature is expected to be available in the US at launch. Google Maps already allows users to create custom routes on the web and then view them on iPhone.
Topographic maps first debuted on the Apple Watch last year with watchOS 10, and the code suggests the feature will be extended to iPhone, Mac, and Vision Pro with iOS 18, macOS 15, and visionOS 2. These maps include details like paths, contour lines, elevation and points of interest for hiking and other outdoor use.
RCS support in the Messages application
In November, Apple announced that it would support the RCS cross-platform messaging standard in the Messages app on the iPhone starting “later” in 2024, so it will likely be an iOS 18 feature based on that timeframe.
RCS support should result in the following improvements to the default messaging experience between iPhone and Android devices:
- Higher resolution photos and videos
- Audio messages
- Typing indicators
- Read the receipts
- Wi-Fi messaging
- Improved group chats, including the ability for iPhone users to leave a conversation involving Android users
These features are already available for iMessage and many third-party messaging apps, such as WhatsApp and Telegram. RCS support on iPhone will extend features to green bubbles in the Messages app.
Design changes
Apple plans to update the iOS user interface design as early as “early this year,” according to Gurman. He previously said that iOS 18 will have “big new features and design”, but has yet to provide any specific details.
More rumors
For more information, read our iOS 18 review.