Here's What's Coming Soon for Your iPhone, and the Update Is Free!

Here's What's Coming Soon for Your iPhone, and the Update Is Free!

The latest iPhone iOS update is nearly here, these are the new features, bug fixes and general improvements that you can expect to see in December.

Earlier this year, alongside the iPhone 16, Apple launched iOS 18, which is compatible with many older devices. iOS 18.1 has already been released, with iOS 18.2 expected in December.

iOS 18.1 introduced some notable updates, like direct access to the selfie camera on the iPhone 16 and a customizable Control Center. A key feature is the ability to record phone calls directly on your iPhone.

iOS 18.2 will bring even more practical enhancements. The Dynamic Island will display more information, such as download progress in Safari. The Find My app will let you share the location of a lost device with a contact, while the iPhone 16's camera button will allow you to lock focus. Another useful addition will show the remaining time for a full battery charge when plugged in, based on the charger used, battery health, and ambient temperature, similar to features on Android phones.

One of the most exciting updates is the adoption of RCS (Rich Communication Services) on iPhone. Already popular on Android, RCS will replace SMS with richer features similar to messaging apps like WhatsApp. This should help reduce the gap between iOS and Android, including the infamous green and blue text bubbles. RCS will soon be available from more carriers.

The biggest change, however, is Apple Intelligence, a new AI Apple is integrating into its latest devices. It will assist with generating text, translations, and enhance Siri's ability to answer complex questions using ChatGPT. Users will also be able to create images and emojis from descriptions, and iPhone 16 owners will be able to use the camera button to perform internet searches based on quick snapshots.

Due to regulations, Apple Intelligence won't be available immediately, but it's expected to roll out in spring 2025.

The best part? iOS updates are free, keeping your iPhone fresh for years. iOS 18 is compatible with iPhone models from the XS onward, released in 2018. To stay up to date, simply go to Settings > General > Software Update. You can also opt into public beta versions to preview upcoming features, though they might not always be fully stable.