In our iOS 17 assessment, we branded Apple’s newest working system as “among the finest iOS updates we have seen in years” – however iOS 18 will reportedly take issues even additional.

In accordance with Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman (by way of MacRumors), iOS 18 might be “one of many greatest iOS updates – if not the largest – within the firm’s historical past,” with Apple staff relating to the upcoming replace as a serious gear change for the iPhone.

Apple itself has already teased that iOS 18 shall be an “formidable and compelling” replace with “main new options and designs.” However Gurman’s feedback have additional raised the joy ranges for what is predicted to be Apple’s first main foray into AI.

Apple is reportedly spending over $1 billion a yr on AI growth, and Gurman confirmed earlier this month that a number of iPhone-specific AI options are on monitor for an enormous unveiling at WWDC 2024.

The likes of Siri, Messages, Apple Music and Pages are anticipated to obtain vital AI-based enhancements in 2024, with the previous reportedly in line for a ChatGPT-style makeover. Certainly, in line with serial leaker Revegnus, Apple is at present utilizing a proprietary LLM (massive language mannequin) to “utterly revamp Siri into the final word digital assistant.”

Evidently, then, AI appears to be like set to stay the tech business buzzword for 2024. Samsung’s latest Galaxy Unpacked 2024 showcase was dominated by AI-related bulletins for its Samsung Galaxy S24 line, so we’re not stunned to listen to that Apple, too, shall be making AI the main target of iOS 18 and future iPhone updates.

Has Apple lastly obtained the message?

However iOS 18 might be the “greatest” software program replace in iPhone historical past for one more motive. Apple has confirmed that it will likely be including RCS messaging assist to iPhones sooner or later in 2024, and we’re anticipating this long-awaited characteristic to debut with iOS 18 later this yr.

RCS (or Wealthy Communication Providers) is a communications customary designed to universally elevate messaging communication throughout cell gadgets. In essence, Apple’s adoption of the usual will dramatically enhance the default messaging expertise between iPhones and Android gadgets.

Presently, options like learn receipts, typing indicators, higher-resolution images and movies, and Wi-Fi messaging are restricted to iPhone-to-iPhone conversations (or Android-to-Android conversations), however iOS 18 might lastly deliver parity to green- and blue-bubble messaging. 

RCS received’t, nevertheless, substitute iMessage and its iPhone-exclusive options. “We consider the RCS Common Profile will provide a greater interoperability expertise when in comparison with SMS or MMS,” Apple advised us final yr, “however this can work alongside iMessage, which is able to proceed to be one of the best and most safe messaging expertise for Apple customers.”

As for after we anticipate iOS 18 – and due to this fact Apple’s AI options and RCS assist – to see the sunshine of day, it’s doubtless that the primary iOS 18 beta will emerge following WWDC in June 2024. iOS 18 correct will then doubtless comply with in September, with its full-blown launch coinciding with the rumored iPhone 16 line.

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