During Apple’s “It’s Glowtime” event on September 9, the company introduced its newest gadgets, including the Apple Watch Series 10, AirPods, and the highly anticipated iPhone 16 series. Along with these product launches, Apple also revealed iOS 18, the latest iPhone operating system packed with exciting updates.

iOS 18 Release Date

First unveiled at the WWDC in June, iOS 18 is loaded with new features designed to improve customization and integrate AI deeper into the iPhone experience. Users won’t have to wait long to try it out — iOS 18 will be available for download on September 16, just days ahead of the iPhone 16’s release on September 20.

However, some features won’t be available immediately. A number of the smart home tools will roll out with iOS 18.1, and the highly anticipated Apple Intelligence AI suite will follow in stages. Apple plans to release these updates throughout the year, with some tools available by late 2024 and others extending into 2025.

Supported Devices

Apple has confirmed that iOS 18 will be compatible with the same devices that currently support iOS 17. Here’s the full list of supported models:

• iPhone 16 series (all models)
• iPhone 15, 15 Plus, 15 Pro, 15 Pro Max
• iPhone 14, 14 Plus, 14 Pro, 14 Pro Max
• iPhone 13, 13 Mini, 13 Pro, 13 Pro Max
• iPhone 12, 12 Mini, 12 Pro, 12 Pro Max
• iPhone 11, 11 Pro, 11 Pro Max
• iPhone XS, XS Max
• iPhone XR
• iPhone SE (2nd and 3rd generation)

It’s important to note that not all of these devices will support Apple Intelligence. The advanced AI features will be limited to the iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, and the new iPhone 16 series due to the hardware requirements for optimal performance.

What’s New in iOS 18?

iOS 18 is set to bring a range of improvements, with a strong focus on customization and enhanced user control.

Customizable Home Screen and Control Center

One of the standout features of iOS 18 is the new Home Screen customization options. For the first time, users will have more control over the arrangement of their apps, allowing them to place icons anywhere on the screen rather than being confined to Apple’s default grid system. There are also new visual options, including Dark and Tinted Home Screen modes, which change the color schemes of wallpapers and app icons.

The Control Center also sees a major update. Users can now create multiple pages of controls, with full customization over the layout. This means you can arrange smart home controls, music settings, or anything else in the exact order you prefer, offering more flexibility and ease of access.

App Enhancements

Apple’s native apps are getting some useful upgrades as well. iMessage now allows users to react with any emoji and includes text formatting options like underlining and italics. Additionally, RCS support is finally here, which enhances cross-platform messaging with users on Android devices.

The Photos app has been redesigned with a single-page layout, making it easier to navigate large image libraries. A major privacy enhancement is also on the way — apps can now be locked behind Face ID, ensuring better security for sensitive information. Meanwhile, managing your login details will become more intuitive with the introduction of a new Passwords app, designed to centralize and organize all your credentials.

Apple Intelligence: iOS 18’s AI Powerhouse

One of the most exciting elements of iOS 18 is Apple Intelligence, a suite of AI-driven tools aimed at enhancing user productivity and interaction with their iPhones. However, these features won’t be available immediately upon the release of iOS 18. Instead, they’ll start rolling out with iOS 18.1, which is expected sometime in late October.

Initially, Apple Intelligence will introduce tools like text generation, smart replies in Messages, phone call transcription, and automated summaries in Messages and Mail notifications. Over time, Apple will continue expanding these capabilities. Future updates will bring features like Image Playground, Genmoji (AI-generated emojis), and even Siri enhancements powered by ChatGPT integration. These features are expected to roll out gradually over the next year, with some AI updates being held until 2025.

Conclusion

Apple’s iOS 18 is shaping up to be one of the most transformative updates to the iPhone experience, offering deeper customization, smarter controls, and cutting-edge AI features through Apple Intelligence. Although not all of the features will be available immediately, iPhone users will begin exploring these new capabilities on September 16, with more exciting updates to follow as the year progresses.

Make sure to keep an eye out for iOS 18.1 in October, which will start unlocking even more of iOS 18’s groundbreaking potential.