iOS 18 Rumors Summary: Smarter Siri, Design Changes, and More

by Joe Rossignol

The iOS 18 reveal is still a few months away, but there are already several rumors and expectations floating around regarding the software update, as noted below.

iOS 18 is rumored to include new ChatGPT-based generative AI features for Siri and many built-in apps, and Apple plans to add RCS support to the Messages app for improved text messaging messages between iPhone and Android devices. The update is also rumored to bring some design changes, but details are scarce.

iOS 18 is expected to be announced at Apple's annual developer conference WWDC in June and widely rolled out in September.

Smart Siri and Generative AI

Rumor has it that iOS 18 will come with new generative AI features for Siri, Spotlight, Shortcuts, Apple Music, Messages, health, numbers, pages, Keynote and more, according to sources such as Bloomberg's Mark Gurman and The Information's Wayne Ma.

Apple CEO Tim Cook has repeatedly teased that the company is working on generative artificial intelligence, and plans to share more details “later this year.” Generative AI grew in popularity in late 2022 when OpenAI released ChatGPT, a chatbot that can answer questions and other text prompts. The company has also expanded into generative AI tools for images and videos.

Some generative AI features may be exclusive to iPhone 16 models, which are rumored to feature a Neural Engine with a “significantly” higher core count.
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RCS support in the Messages app

In November, Apple announced that it would support the cross-platform RCS messaging standard in the Messages app on iPhone starting “later” in 2024, so it will likely be a feature during that period iOS 18

RCS support should result in the following improvements to default messaging between iPhone and Android devices:

Higher resolution photos and videos
Audio messages
Input indicators
Read receipts
Wi-Fi messaging between iPhone and Android devices
Improved group messaging chats, including the ability for iPhone users to leave a conversation in which Android users are participating.

These modern features are already available. for iPhone-to-iPhone conversations using blue bubbles via iMessage, and many features are also available in third-party messaging apps such as WhatsApp and Telegram. RCS support on iPhone will expand the Messages app to green bubbles.

Design changes

In the February issue of his Bloomberg newsletter, Mark Gurman said, that Apple is working on a redesign of iOS “as early as this year.”

Gurman has not yet revealed any specific design changes planned for iOS. However, in the November issue of his newsletter, he reported that Apple's senior management described iOS 18 as “ambitious and compelling” with “significant new features and design.”

Gurman does not expect iOS 18 to receive a “complete overhaul , mirroring VisionOS.”