Apple's iOS 18 iPhone software update will bring big upgrades to apps you use daily

Apple is expected to announce the iOS 18 iPhone software update in June with the annual WWDC event normally the place when new updates are previewed to the world. We've been hearing various things about what that update will offer for months now, and it's believed that there will be a big focus on new AI features. However, there's an expectation that there will be some updates to apps that people use every day as well, and it's those apps that could be the biggest improvement for people who use iPhones on the daily.

Now, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, writing in the paywalled version of the Power On newsletter, has shared details about what he expects from the new iOS 18 software update. He was asked by one reader what would be new in iOS 18 beyond the heavily rumored AI focus, and Gurman said that he believes there will be improvements to a number of Apple's core iPhone apps.

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According to Gurman, we can expect that Apple will overhaul the Photos, Mail, Notes, and Fitness apps this year which means that some of the apps people use the most will benefit from whatever Apple has in mind. It's possible that the AI focus could bring new features to those apps as well, with Apple previously rumored to have plans for a new Notes feature that ties in with the calculator app as well.

Whatever Apple does have planned, you shouldn't expect to be able to use it any time soon. While the June 10 WWDC event is likely to see the new software previewed for the first time, it won't be available for download for some time.

June 10 is likely when developers will be given access to the app in an early beta form, but months will pass before it's ready for the world. Multiple beta releases will be made available to developers and, latterly, those on the public beta program before iOS 18 is released to the public.

That public release is likely to happen in September, alongside the arrival of the new iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max. Apple is also expected to unveil the Apple Watch X to celebrate 10 years of the wearable alongside a new, revamped version of the Apple Watch Ultra. Details are hard to come by for both of the new wearables, however.

Long before then, Apple is expected to announce new iPad Pro and iPad Air tablets next week with an event being streamed online on May 7.