iOS 18 rumor recap: Smarter Siri, design changes, and more

We're still months away from the iOS 18 reveal, but there are already many rumors and predictions regarding the software update, as seen below.

iOS 18 is rumored to include new ChatGPT-inspired generative AI features for Siri and several built-in apps, and Apple is planning to add RCS support to the Messages app for an improved texting experience between iPhone and Android devices. It is also rumored that the update will contain some design changes, but details remain scant.

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

Smarter Siri and generative AI

iOS 18 is rumored to have new general AI features for Siri, Spotlight, Shortcuts, Apple Music, Messages, Health, Numbers, Pages, Keynote, and more, according to sources like BloombergMark Gorman and the informationWherever it is.

Apple CEO Tim Cook has repeatedly teased that the company is working on generative AI, and plans to share details “later this year.”

Generative AI surged in popularity in late 2022, when OpenAI released ChatGPT, a chatbot that can respond to questions and other text prompts. The company has also expanded to include AI tools for photos and videos.

Some generative AI features may be exclusive to the iPhone 16 models, which are rumored to have a neural engine with “significantly” more cores.

RCS support in Messages app

In November, Apple announced that it would support the RCS standard for cross-platform messaging in the Messages app on the iPhone starting “later” in 2024, so it's likely an iOS 18 feature based on that time frame.

RCS support should bring the following improvements to the default messaging experience between iPhone and Android devices:

High resolution photos and videos
Voice messages
Writing indicators
Read receipts
Wi-Fi messaging between iPhone and Android devices
Improved group chats, including the ability for iPhone users to leave a conversation that includes Android users

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

Design changes

In the February issue of his newsletter, BloombergApple is working on updating the iOS design “as early as this year,” Apple's Mark Gurman said.

Gurman has yet to reveal any specific design changes planned for iOS. However, he said in the November edition of his newsletter that Apple's senior management described iOS 18 as “ambitious and compelling,” with “key new features and designs.”

Gorman doesn't expect iOS 18 to receive “an overhaul that mirrors VisionOS.”