Apple's highly anticipated iOS 18.2 update is slated for release in the first week of December, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. This timeline is slightly earlier than initially expected, with Apple previously indicating a general December release.
The update introduces several new Apple Intelligence features, primarily for iPhone 15 Pro and all iPhone 16 models. These include:
- Genmoji: A tool for creating custom emoji
- Image Playground: Generates cartoon-like images from text prompts
- Image Wand: Transforms rough sketches into full images within the Notes app
- ChatGPT integration for Siri
Additionally, iOS 18.2 expands Apple Intelligence support to localized English in several countries, including the UK, Canada, Australia, and others.
Beyond AI enhancements, the update brings a new "Default Apps" section in Settings, daily Sudoku puzzles for Apple News+ subscribers in the US, and an iMessage nudity reporting option for Australian users.
The earlier release of iOS 18.2 comes amidst reports of decreased iPhone 16 sales, potentially due to the staggered rollout of AI features. Apple appears to be accelerating its AI integration to address this concern.
Looking ahead, Gurman anticipates iOS 18.4 to arrive in April, introducing further AI capabilities to Siri, such as personal context awareness and on-screen comprehension.
As Apple continues to emphasize its AI offerings, users can expect future iOS updates to heavily feature Apple Intelligence advancements.