Apple's upcoming iOS 18.4 update, slated for release in early April, brings several notable Apple Intelligence enhancements despite having some planned Siri features delayed. Here's what iPhone users can expect in the new update.
Priority Notifications Get Smarter
The update introduces Priority Notifications, a feature that intelligently analyzes and highlights your most important notifications based on context and timing. For example, if you're waiting on a food delivery, that notification will be prominently displayed above others. Users can opt-in through Settings > Notifications > Prioritize Notifications to see priority alerts in a dedicated section on their Lock Screen.
Image Playground Adds New Style
The Image Playground app receives a new "Sketch" option, joining the existing Animation and Illustration styles. This addition brings a hand-drawn aesthetic that Apple describes as "highly detailed and academic," creating drawings with stark backgrounds. This contrasts with the whimsical 3D cartoon look of Animation and the bold, simple shapes of Illustration.
Expanded Language Support
Apple Intelligence expands its reach with support for multiple new languages including:
- French
- German
- Italian
- Brazilian Portuguese
- Spanish
- Japanese
- Korean
- Simplified Chinese
- Localized English for Singapore and India
Release Timeline
While the first beta is already available to developers and public testers, a second beta is expected next week. The final release is planned for early April 2024, though some previously announced Siri features have been postponed for additional testing and may appear in a future iOS 18.5 update.
Apple continues its gradual rollout approach with iOS 18 features, setting the stage for the anticipated iOS 19 development, which reports suggest may see adjusted timelines to accommodate ongoing iOS 18 refinements.