Apple has previewed iOS 18, the major iPhone update scheduled for release later this year. This free update includes the most significant redesign of the Photos app to date and introduces new features such as the ability to hide apps, customize app icon colors, and place icons freely on the home screen to better showcase the wallpaper.
With the Messages app in iOS 18, iPhone users will be able to schedule their messages. Apple is also adding the ability to send texts and react to messages via satellite, ensuring communication without Wi-Fi or cellular networks. Additionally, iOS 18 will allow users to secure individual apps with Face ID, enabling them to share their iPhone while keeping specific areas, such as the Health app, private and secure.
For the first time, iPhone users will be able to customize the two shortcuts on the Lock Screen, which were previously fixed to the flashlight and camera functions.
Additionally, iOS 18 introduces a variety of new wallpapers, a standalone app for managing passwords, and a specialized Game Mode that minimizes background processes, allowing players to enjoy uninterrupted high frame rates during extended gaming sessions.
Current iOS 17 users can upgrade to iOS 18 at no cost. The full list of iPhone models that support both iOS 17 and the new iOS 18 includes:
- 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 (2nd generation)
- iPhone SE (3rd generation)
However, not all iOS 18 features will be available to every user.
The highlight, called Apple Intelligence, may not be accessible to everyone. Apple prioritizes privacy by processing AI tasks on-device using the Neural Engine in its chips, unlike competitors like ChatGPT-4 and Google Gemini, which rely on servers. This approach speeds up processes and enhances privacy. Notably, Microsoft’s similar AI features in Office apps cost £19 per month, and ChatGPT offers a paid subscription for advanced capabilities, while Google might charge for some Gemini assistant features.
Apple, however, will not charge for Apple Intelligence. All AI features announced at WWDC will be available at no extra cost. The caveat is that on-device processing requires an iPhone 15 Pro or 15 Pro Max, which have the A17 Pro chip.
Future iPhone models with processors capable of handling these Apple Intelligence tasks are expected. For now, only iPhone 15 Pro or 15 Pro Max owners can fully utilize Apple Intelligence features.
Apple Intelligence includes new functions like email proofreading, tone adjustment in writing, summarizing articles into bullet points, new photo editing tools, and Siri’s ability to adjust device settings.
Here’s a summary of the key features Apple showcased at its WWDC keynote:
- Writing tools for proofreading, rewriting, and tone adjustment
- Smart Reply suggestions for emails and texts
- Automatic transcription in the Voice Memos app
- Priority Notifications that reorder alerts based on relevance
- Quick debrief to summarize notifications
- Mail categorization into Priority Messages
- Genmoji for creating custom Apple-style emojis from prompts
- Image Playground for generating new images in various artistic styles
- Search functionality for specific elements within video frames in Photos
- Clean-Up feature to remove unwanted elements from photos
- Siri’s enhanced interaction with on-screen items, including adjusting settings and editing photos
- Integration of ChatGPT-4o with Siri for generating text, poetry, code, and more
These Apple Intelligence features will also be available on iPadOS 18, compatible with a range of iPad models. However, like iOS 18, the full suite of Apple Intelligence capabilities will only be accessible on devices with M1, M2, M3, or M4 processors that include a Neural Engine for handling complex tasks.