Apple has announced significant upgrades to its smartphone operating system with the introduction of iOS 18. This latest update marks a new chapter in artificial intelligence, introducing RCS support, enhanced communication features such as text effects and emoji reactions, a password manager, and improved customization options. In a welcome move for many users, all iPhones currently running iOS 17 will be eligible for the iOS 18 update.
This update ensures continued support for older models, including the iPhone XR, XS, and XS Max from 2018, which will reach their six-year milestone this September. The original iPhone SE, phased out with iOS 16, remains excluded due to its 2016 release. However, the second-generation (2020) and third-generation (2022) iPhone SE models will receive the new update.
iOS 18 is the next major update for Apple’s iPhone operating system, expected for release in September 2024. It brings a significant focus on personalization and intelligence compared to previous versions. Here’s a breakdown:
What is iOS 18?
- It’s the next iteration of iOS, the operating system that powers iPhones.
- It succeeds iOS 17 and brings a fresh set of features and improvements.
Why is iOS 18 Different?
- Customization Reigns Supreme: iOS 18 offers extensive customization options. You can personalize your home screen and lock screen with widgets and app icon themes, along with a revamped control center for quicker access to frequently used controls.
- Smarter Photos App: The Photos app gets a boost in intelligence, automatically grouping photos based on faces, locations, and themes for effortless searching.
- Communication Gets a Modern Touch: Messaging gains features like scheduling messages, text effects, and personalized avatars. Notably, iOS 18 supports RCS messaging, enhancing compatibility with Android users.
- Intelligence on iPhone 15 Pro: Apple introduces “Apple Intelligence” exclusively on iPhone 15 Pro models. This utilizes AI to personalize information and suggestions based on your specific needs and usage patterns.
- Accessibility Improvements: Eye tracking allows users with physical limitations to control their iPhones using just their eyes.
- New Apps and Revamps: Look forward to Freeform, a new app for collaborative mind mapping, and a redesigned Calculator app.
Overall, iOS 18 goes beyond the usual feature additions. It emphasizes user preferences with extensive customization options and integrates intelligence features to provide a more personalized and intuitive iPhone experience. While some features are available across all compatible iPhones, the most advanced intelligent features are exclusive to the latest iPhone 15 Pro models.
Complete List of Supported iPhones:
- iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max
- iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 14 Pro Max
- iPhone 13, iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13 Pro, iPhone 13 Pro Max
- iPhone 12, iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12 Pro, iPhone 12 Pro Max
- iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone 11 Pro Max
- iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, iPhone XR
- iPhone SE (2022), iPhone SE (2020)
Exclusive AI Features for iPhone 15 Pro Models
Notably, only the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max will receive the Apple Intelligence feature, which will remain in beta even after the full launch of iOS 18. These two models, powered by the Apple A17 Pro chipset, are equipped to handle this advanced AI functionality. Older models and even the standard iPhone 15 and 15 Plus will not support Apple Intelligence.
The A17 Pro’s Neural Engine can deliver up to 35 trillion operations per second (TOPS), significantly surpassing the A16 Bionic’s 17 TOPS. This enhanced computing power is essential as some AI tasks will be processed locally on the device, while others will rely on Apple’s Private Cloud Compute. The minimum performance requirement highlights the advanced capabilities needed to support these new AI-driven features.
