Apple’s iOS 18 has arrived, setting a new benchmark for mobile operating systems with cutting-edge features and performance enhancements. Released in September 2024, iOS 18 delivers a host of improvements designed to enhance user experience, from new personalization options to enhanced security measures. Here's a breakdown of everything you need to know about iOS 18, including its standout features, device compatibility, and potential drawbacks. New Features of Apple’s iOS 18 . Apple Intelligence (Coming with iOS 18.1) One of the most anticipated features, Apple Intelligence, will debut in iOS 18.1, specifically for the iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, and iPhone 16. Apple Intelligence includes cutting-edge AI tools such as smarter Siri, text summarisation, writing assistance, and generative image creation.  While it is not yet part of the core iOS 18 release, users can experience it via the iOS 18.1 beta. This AI-driven toolset is designed to streamline tasks, make Siri more proactive, and enable users to create visuals effortlessly. Redesigned Photos App With iOS 18, the Photos app received its biggest-ever redesign. Apple has unified the layout into a single view combining a photo grid and a date grid, making it easier to navigate and locate photos.  Users can also filter photos by categories like screenshots or groups, significantly simplifying organization. Additionally, iOS 18 introduces a new ‘Recovered’ album, which stores photos or videos not in the main gallery and reduces risks of database corruption or issues with third-party apps. Read more: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max Review: The Biggest and The Best of 2024 Advanced Home Screen Customisation iOS 18 takes customisation to the next level with significant upgrades to the Home Screen. For the first time, users can rearrange app icons and widgets to the bottom or sides of the screen, offering more flexibility for personal layouts.  The dark mode is now available for app icons, and users can apply color tints to match or complement their wallpapers. This enhanced customisation allows for a more personalized and visually pleasing experience. Control Center Upgrades Apple has also made significant improvements to the Control Center in iOS 18. Users can now group controls into distinct function sets, such as Media and Home, and resize Control Center widgets to fit their preferences. For the first time, users can also decide which Control Center widgets will appear on the Lock Screen, adding more functionality at a glance. Messages Upgrades iOS 18 enhances the Messages app with several exciting new features. Users can now react to messages using any emoji, offering more expressive ways to communicate. Apple has also introduced text formatting options, allowing users to bold, italicize, underline, or strikethrough text.  In addition, iOS 18 brings support for the RCS messaging standard, which provides a richer experience when communicating with non-Apple users. Another useful feature is the ability to schedule messages and make it easier to send important texts at the right time. Read more: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Review: Does a Bigger Phone Come with Better Features? New Passwords App iOS 18 introduces a new app called Passwords, designed to be a secure vault for all your passwords, passkeys, and verification codes. The app not only stores this information but also alerts you if any of your passwords are weak or compromised in a data breach. As expected, all data is protected by end-to-end encryption, and the app can be locked using Face ID or Touch ID. Wallet Upgrades The Wallet app in iOS 18 comes with the new "tap to cash" feature, which simplifies peer-to-peer payments. This makes paying friends or splitting bills even easier. Dynamic event tickets also make their debut in the Wallet app which provide users with more interactive ticket designs and additional event information. Messages via Satellite For users with compatible iPhones, iOS 18 expands satellite capabilities, enabling them to send messages when Wi-Fi and cellular networks are unavailable. This feature is especially useful in remote areas and also adds a layer of communication safety for travelers and adventurers. ID-Authenticated App Locks A significant privacy upgrade in iOS 18 is the ability to lock any app, not just banking or Notes apps, behind Face ID or Touch ID. Users can also hide apps in a new Hidden Apps folder which provides more control over their privacy and security. Math in Any Text Field iOS 18 introduces a nifty feature that allows users to perform mathematical calculations directly in any text field. This small but powerful update means that you will not need to open the Calculator app to solve basic math problems—it can be done seamlessly while typing. Read more: Apple iPhone 16 Review: Can It Set New Standards for the Brand? Power Reserve with Time Display The Power Reserve feature has been upgraded in iOS 18. Previously, Power Reserve allowed access to key features like cards and Find My iPhone when the battery was almost depleted. Now, it also displays the time, offering another useful function when your phone is low on power. Shoot Videos without Pausing Audio With iOS 18, users can record videos without interrupting any background audio, such as music or podcasts. This feature, though small, is a welcome change for those who enjoy capturing moments while listening to their favorite tunes. Compatible Devices iPhone ModelsiPhone SE (2nd generation)iPhone SE (3rd generation)iPhone XRiPhone XSiPhone XS MaxiPhone 11 seriesiPhone 12 seriesiPhone 13 seriesiPhone 14 seriesiPhone 15 seriesiPhone 16 seriesiPad ModelsiPad Pro (M4)iPad Pro 12.9″ (3rd generation and later)iPad Pro 11″ (1st generation and later)iPad Air (M2) iPad Air (3rd generation and later)iPad (7th generation and later)iPad mini (5th generation and later). Read more: Top 7 Smartphones Coming in October 2024  Limitations of Apple’s iOS 18 Delayed Apple Intelligence Features One significant limitation of iOS 18 is the absence of Apple Intelligence features at launch. These advanced AI capabilities, including enhanced Siri and text summarisation, will not be available until iOS 18.1. Users excited about these smart features will need to wait until a later update to fully experience the benefits of Apple’s AI integration. Bugs and Performance Issues Early adopters of iOS 18 have reported issues such as performance drops, particularly on older devices like the iPhone 12. Bugs include touchscreen unresponsiveness and camera freezing during specific tasks, like shooting videos in macro mode. As with many major updates, these issues are common in initial releases and are likely to be addressed in future patches. Incompatibility with Older Devices iOS 18 has also dropped support for several older iPads and iPhones, including models like the iPad Pro 10.5-inch (2017) and iPhone XS Max, meaning not all users will be able to access the new software. Verdict The Apple iOS 18 is a robust update packed with features that enhance customisation, privacy, and communication. While its initial release lacks the full power of Apple Intelligence, it is expected that the upcoming iOS 18.1 will address those issues. Early bugs and limited device compatibility may deter some users, but overall, the improvements in Photos, Messages, and Control Center make the iOS 18 a valuable upgrade, particularly for newer devices. Waiting for patches is advised for smoother performance. Read more: What’s New in Microsoft Office 2024: Key Features, AI Integrations, and Installation Guide