Apple will announce its iOS 18 update at its WWDC 2024 event in June, alongside additional updates for the iPad, Apple Watch, and Mac. However, iOS 18 will be the company's most significant iPhone update as the company plans to introduce some pretty exciting features. According to prominent analyst, iOS 18 will be Apple's biggest update for the iPhone, considering the number of significant changes it will bring to the table.
iOS 18 will bring significant features for the iPhone, the biggest in the history of the device, with AI and RCS topping the list
In his latest Power On newsletter, Mark Gurman states that iOS 18 could be the biggest update the iPhone has received since its launch in 2007. The platform will be announced at the company's WWDC 2024 event in June alongside watchOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS 15. The analyst will share more details in the future, so stick around. We are already familiar with some of the main features coming with iOS 18, but additional information will be available in the coming months,
"I'm told that the new operating system is seen within the company as one of the biggest iOS updates — if not the biggest — in the company's history."
It was previously reported that Apple is finally planning to incorporate AI-derived features for the iPhone. The company is lagging in the competition when it comes to generative AI features on the iPhone, and iOS 18 might be the update that changes everything. We have previously reported that the company is working on its large language model, similar to ChatGPT. While the application may not be the same, the company is expected to debut the technology as part of iOS features.
It was previously reported that iOS 18 would house numerous AI-centric features for apps like Notes, Messages, Siri, and more. While concrete details are scarce at this stage, we suspect that Siri will get one of the biggest feature upgrades this year. It was also rumored that AI features would not be available with the release of iOS 18 as the company would release an update by the end of this year. Potentially, the iPhone 16 lineup could boast hardware changes to bolster AI features on the device.
Apart from AI, iOS 18 will also include another significant change for the iPhone. The company has finally accepted defeat and adopted RCS support for its devices. Google has been pushing Apple to include RCS support on the iPhone for a while as it brings various benefits over the current standard. The company took years to adopt support for RCS as iMessage delivered the same functionality over the internet. Now, RCS could allow iPhone and Android phones to communicate better while bringing enhanced functionality on both sides.
For instance, with RCS support coming with iOS 18, the iPhone can send high-res photos and videos, audio messages, typing indicators, read receipts, have better encryption, and much more. Users will finally get a taste of an iMessage-style experience on Android. However, application details are scarce as the company works with Google to implement the changes.
As mentioned, Apple will announce iOS 18 at its developers conference later this year. The company will share additional features coming with the update for the iPhone at the event. Potentially, the company could introduce visual changes to the platform as well, but no details are available at this stage. We will share more details on the matter as soon as further information is available.
About the author: Ali Salman is a technology reporter for Wccftech mobile section with a specialized focus on Apple and the intellectual property that drives mobile innovation. He has cultivated a unique expertise in analyzing and deconstructing complex technology patents, translating dense legal and technical documents into clear, insightful reports on future products.
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