We might not know too much about the iPhone 16 ahead of its official reveal today, but the same can’t be said about the big iOS 18 update due in the next few weeks.
That’s because WWDC is where we got our first glimpse at all the exciting new features and updates coming to Apple’s iOS operating system, all the way back in June. Since then, we’ve had multiple developer and public betas, giving us a very good idea of what’s on offer from the next iPhone update.
With that in mind, we’ve rounded up all the big features and tweaks coming to your iPhone once iOS 18 is rolled out, likely in the next couple of weeks.
Apple Intelligence
Apple Intelligence stole the show at this year’s WWDC, and it’s not hard to see why; it’s Apple’s long-awaited entry into the world of GenAI, allowing it to better compete with AI-powered Android alternatives like the Pixel 9 and Samsung Galaxy S24.
As well as an upgraded Siri experience, both in terms of UI and AI smarts, Apple’s on-device AI can handle a range of tasks from image editing capabilities to creating custom emoji dubbed Genmoji. What’s more, with integration with third-party AI services like OpenAI’s ChatGPT, Siri is smart enough to pass on tasks to ChatGPT that it can’t handle itself.
The catch is that it’s set to be exclusively available in the US initially, and it’ll only run on the A17 Pro or later, meaning iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max users and likely the entire iPhone 16 collection once that’s official. Not all features will be available at launch either, with Apple claiming that some functionality will roll out later in the year.
Icon customisation
Another big iOS 18 feature confirmed at WWDC this year was icon customisation.
iOS will soon give you the ability to tint your icons with a single colour, making them match better with your home screen or stand out in your favourite shade.
You can also toggle your icons to automatically transition into a dark look when your system is in dark mode, making them a bit gentler on your eyes in the evenings.
Control Centre
Control Centre has also been given a design update. Going forward, you’ll be able to swipe through different pages of Controls, from your main Controls to your smart home Controls and media playback.
Third-party apps will also be able to create their own Controls and list them in the new Controls Gallery. Users can rearrange the layout of their Controls and the size of the icons.
You’ll even be able to switch out the camera and flashlight icons on the lock screen and the function of the iPhone 15 Pro’s Action Button with these new Controls.
Privacy
Apple also announced some new privacy updates, including the ability to lock apps on your home screen behind Face ID. This means you can hand your phone to friends and family without worrying about them sneaking a look at your journal app or swiping through your messages.
You can also hide apps in a hidden folder away from your home screen, preventing them from showing up in search or your notifications bar.
Apple has also made it easier to control your privacy when dealing with app permissions by deciding exactly which contacts an app can see and preventing apps from accessing other devices on your network.
Messages
Apple also showcased a range of updates to the Messages app.
With iOS 18, you’ll be able to schedule messages for later, react to messages with any emoji via tapbacks, and customise your text with the ability to bold, italicise, underline and strikethrough words.
You can also use text effects to animate your messages and even send end-to-end encrypted messages and tapbacks over satellite. It’ll also finally support RCS, allowing Android and iPhone users to message with high-res image support, voice notes and more.
Wallet
One handy new feature coming to the Wallet is Tap to Cash.
This feature makes it possible to send and receive money between friends and family directly from the Apple Wallet – no phone number or email address required. However, as this relies on Apple Cash, it’s a feature that’ll almost certainly be exclusive to those in the US.
Gaming
Mobile gamers can look forward to Apple’s Game Mode coming to the iPhone with iOS 18.
This feature minimises background activity in order to sustain the highest frame rate when gaming, and optimises audio when listening through AirPods.
Photos
Finally, Apple announced that the Photos app would be undergoing a massive design rehaul.
The Photos app has been redesigned with a single grid with your recent images at the top of the app and more organised folders below. You can choose between month and year views, choose to see specific content, and filter out screenshots.
Apple also announced Collections, a new way of organising your photos into topics such as time, people, favourite memories, trips, and more. For example, the recent days Collection will show just the photos from a day out with all the clutter (like receipts) filtered out.
You can change the order of your Collections and pin your favourites. Swipe right and you’ll find a new carousel view with your favourite photos and ones featured by Apple.
iOS 18 release date
The iOS 18 beta has been available since late June for developers, and early July for keen members of the public willing to join the public beta. With the iPhone 16 launch set to take place later today, it’s likely that we’ll see the release of iOS 18 within the next two weeks, but we’ll update this section once we get confirmation from Apple.
