Apple iOS 18: Top Features, Updates, and Device Compatibility Guide

Apple has once again raised the bar with the release of iOS 18, a major update to its mobile operating system. With new features, improvements, and updates, iOS 18 brings a fresh experience for iPhone users. Released in September 2024, this version comes with exciting personalization tools, better security features, and a revamped design. Whether you’re already using it or planning to update, this article will cover the most important things you need to know about iOS 18.

Top Features of iOS 18

Apple Intelligence (Coming Soon)

One of the most anticipated features in iOS 18 is Apple Intelligence, though it will be available on iOS 18.1. Apple Intelligence is set to introduce advanced AI tools that will significantly change how users interact with their iPhones. Some key tools include a smarter Siri, text summarization, writing assistance, and even the ability to create images through AI.

The new AI-driven capabilities aim to streamline your daily tasks, making things easier and faster. Whether you need help with writing, quick information, or a more proactive Siri, Apple Intelligence will be a game-changer. However, this feature will be limited to the latest devices like the iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, and the upcoming iPhone 16.

Revamped Photos App

iOS 18 introduces the biggest-ever redesign of the Photos app. With the new layout, Apple has combined the photo grid and date grid views, making it much easier to scroll through and find your pictures. You can now filter your photos by categories, such as screenshots or group shots, simplifying how you organize and find images.

A new “Recovered” album also stores photos not found in the main gallery. This helps prevent losing your photos if there are issues with the database or third-party apps.

Home Screen Customization

Customization has always been a priority for Apple users, and iOS 18 takes it to a new level. Now, users can move app icons and widgets to the bottom or sides of the screen for more flexibility. For those who love dark mode, this update lets you apply dark themes to app icons, and you can match colours with your wallpapers for a more personal feel.

Upgraded Control Center

The Control Center has received significant upgrades in iOS 18. You can now group different controls into categories like Media or Home, making navigation simpler. You can even resize the widgets and customize which widgets appear on your Lock Screen.

This improvement makes controlling your device’s settings faster and easier.

Improved Messages App

The Messages app now offers more ways to communicate. You can react to messages with any emoji, which gives you more freedom to express yourself. New formatting options such as bold, italics, and underlining give messages a richer look.

iOS 18 also supports the RCS (Rich Communication Services) standard, which offers enhanced messaging for non-iPhone users. A great new feature is the ability to schedule messages, making sending important texts at the right time easier.

New Passwords App

iOS 18 introduces a new Password app, providing a safe place to store passwords, passkeys, and verification codes. It even alerts you if any of your passwords are compromised. As expected from Apple, the data is secured with end-to-end encryption and can be locked using Face ID or Touch ID.

Wallet App Upgrades

The Wallet app has also received a useful new “Tap to Cash” feature, making peer-to-peer payments easier. Additionally, dynamic event tickets are now part of the app, giving users more interactive and detailed information about events.

New Camera Features in iOS 18

Even though the iPhone 16 series introduced some impressive hardware changes, iOS 18 has new camera features accessible to many users, not just those with the latest model.

Pause Video Recording

Finally, iOS 18 introduces the ability to pause a video while recording. This long-requested feature makes it easier to record vlogs or other creative videos. You can pause the recording and resume it when you’re ready, making it perfect for seamless transitions in your videos.

Record Videos Without Pausing Music

Previously, you played music while recording videos, but that wasn’t possible. As soon as you started recording, the background music would stop. iOS 18 changes that. Now, you can keep your music playing while capturing your favourite moments on video. This is a great addition for those who love capturing life’s moments while enjoying their tunes.

New Camera Timer Options

The new camera timer options are another welcome change in iOS 18. While previous iOS versions only allowed three or 10-second timers, you can now choose a five-second timer. This added flexibility makes capturing group photos easier without rushing or waiting too long.

Night Mode Portrait Lighting

Taking portraits in low light just got better with iOS 18. Now, you can use various lighting effects, even in Night Mode. This enhancement allows more control over your portraits, even in darker settings.

Easier Flash Adjustments

Adjusting the flash while taking photos has also become easier. Instead of toggling between on, off, and auto modes, you can now touch and hold the flash icon to fine-tune your options. This provides more control and helps ensure you get the best photo lighting.

Compatibility and Limitations

Supported Devices

Here is a list of devices compatible with iOS 18:

• iPhone SE (2nd and 3rd generation)
• iPhone XR
• iPhone XS, XS Max
• iPhone 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16 series
• iPad Pro (M4 and newer)
• iPad Air (3rd generation and newer)
• iPad (7th generation and newer)
• iPad Mini (5th generation and newer)

Unfortunately, several older devices, like the iPhone XS Max and iPad Pro 10.5-inch (2017), are not supported. While many devices can still use iOS 18, some more advanced features, like Apple Intelligence, are only available on newer models like the iPhone 15 and 16 series.

Early Bugs and Performance Issues

Like most new updates, iOS 18 has experienced initial bugs and performance issues. Some users have reported touchscreen unresponsiveness and freezing in certain apps, especially on older devices like the iPhone 12. These issues are typical with major updates and should be addressed in future patches.

Conclusion

Apple’s iOS 18 brings many features that enhance the overall user experience. From the redesigned Photos app to advanced customizations, enhanced privacy, and a smarter Messages app, there’s something for everyone in this update. Although some features like Apple Intelligence are delayed and will only be available on newer devices, iOS 18 is a significant upgrade worth trying.

If you’re excited about new camera features, video recording improvements, and advanced personalization, iOS 18 won’t disappoint. Be patient if you face any early bugs, as Apple will soon release fixes.