iOS 18 Speculation Thread

[HouseLannister]

Hopefully future 18.3 betas will provide some “minor” improvements

I bet you're right. They just put out a quick couple fixes for developers before they break for the holidays, but anything new would probably go along with a public beta in the first week or two of January.

 

[kirbysmartsdawg]

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not too upset, but it is kind of disappointing after such a long wait for iOS 18.3 betas. Even some minor feature improvements or changes would be great. But the first beta has practically nothing changed at all from 18.2. Hopefully future 18.3 betas will provide some “minor” improvements like maybe some new Control Center controls, some new Siri Shortcuts actions, new Settings options, etc. I have no problems with Apple focusing on bug fixes (even though I’m not really running into any), but it would be nice if they can also make at least some minor tweaks/improvements as well. Another month of essentially iOS 18.2 would be kind of boring…

Was any of that ever rumored? I think bug fixes and enhancements are just what iOS 18 needs. As far as wait, I have been waiting almost the entire life cycle thus far of my 16 Pro for some battery improvements that most thought would come with 18.3. So for me this beta is right in line with what I was expecting. I don't remember hearding of new features coming in 18.3, so not entirely sure what you waited so long for.

 

[Kal Madda]

Was any of that ever rumored? I think bug fixes and enhancements are just what iOS 18 needs. As far as wait, I have been waiting almost the entire life cycle thus far of my 16 Pro for some battery improvements that most thought would come with 18.3. So for me this beta is right in line with what I was expecting. I don't remember hearding of new features coming in 18.3, so not entirely sure what you waited so long for.

Apple basically never releases new entire point updates with zero (like literally zero) new minor enhancements or tweaks. You can get the battery enhancements and bug fixes you want while we also at the very least get a couple new Control Center controls, Siri Shortcuts actions, or something of that nature. Heck, even an updated button or UI element in some system app would be better than literally nothing… And rumors were that some iOS 18.4 features would be moved to be rolled out in 18.3. At this point, I’m not expecting any major new features in 18.3, but at least give us some new minor refinements in 18.3. Maybe some new glyphs in the Settings app for settings pages that still lack them. Anything would be better than literally nothing, which is what we currently have…. And as far as battery improvements go, that isn’t guaranteed to be part of 18.3 either. Apple hasn’t at least listed it. From all appearances, the first 18.3 beta is basically just a re-released 18.2 with like 1 or 2 listed bug fixes that are incredibly niche and minor…

Again, I think both can happen simultaneously, they can add battery improvements and bug fixes AND some minor feature improvements or additions…

 

[kirbysmartsdawg]

Apple basically never releases new entire point updates with zero (like literally zero) new minor enhancements or tweaks. You can get the battery enhancements and bug fixes you want while we also at the very least get a couple new Control Center controls, Siri Shortcuts actions, or something of that nature. Heck, even an updated button or UI element in some system app would be better than literally nothing… And rumors were that some iOS 18.4 features would be moved to be rolled out in 18.3. At this point, I’m not expecting any major new features in 18.3, but at least give us some new minor refinements in 18.3. Maybe some new glyphs in the Settings app for settings pages that still lack them. Anything would be better than literally nothing, which is what we currently have…. And as far as battery improvements go, that isn’t guaranteed to be part of 18.3 either. Apple hasn’t at least listed it. From all appearances, the first 18.3 beta is basically just a re-released 18.2 with like 1 or 2 listed bug fixes that are incredibly niche and minor…

Again, I think both can happen simultaneously, they can add battery improvements and bug fixes AND some minor feature improvements or additions…

I am not suggesting they can't do both. My question is why were you waiting so long for those small enhancements you listed? Those are so minor even if they had happened, do they really move the needle? I never believed any of the rumors that 18.3 would have some of 18.4 features. It seems too rushed for such a big update.

For me, I know battery life isn't guaranteed and like you said it's not listed. Maybe it will be later on in the beta cycle, but I am not holding my breath. I am disappointed in other ways in that I don't think it fixed a single issue I have had with iOS 18. That is what I thought 18.3 would be, and in the past that is what it has been. There is still time, so maybe we will get it all before the beta cycle is done.

After all the trouble Apple had with 18.2 RC, I am not surprised with what we received in 18.3. Honestly I think it's good and needed for Apple to step back for a couple of weeks and take a breath and figure some things out. To me it's needed, so I can't be too disappointed.

 

[Kal Madda]

I am not suggesting they can't do both. My question is why were you waiting so long for those small enhancements you listed? Those are so minor even if they had happened, do they really move the needle? I never believed any of the rumors that 18.3 would have some of 18.4 features. It seems too rushed for such a big update.

For me, I know battery life isn't guaranteed and like you said it's not listed. Maybe it will be later on in the beta cycle, but I am not holding my breath. I am disappointed in other ways in that I don't think it fixed a single issue I have had with iOS 18. That is what I thought 18.3 would be, and in the past that is what it has been. There is still time, so maybe we will get it all before the beta cycle is done.

After all the trouble Apple had with 18.2 RC, I am not surprised with what we received in 18.3. Honestly I think it's good and needed for Apple to step back for a couple of weeks and take a breath and figure some things out. To me it's needed, so I can't be too disappointed.

I was waiting for a new version to test. I wasn’t expecting a bunch of new changes with 18.3 (you can refer to my pre-18.3 in this very thread. I don’t have crazy high expectations for 18.3 or anything. I’m just a bit surprised at there being SO little in the way of any kind of changes. As I said before, I’m not really all that upset about it or anything, I’m sure some of the improvements/changes they planned to make in 18.3 are delayed until the next betas due to 18.2’s longer than planned rollout. I think we’ll hopefully see more in future 18.3 betas. I’m simply saying that if all of the 18.3 betas don’t add any kind of new improvements or minor features, I think that would be kind of boring, and be a missed opportunity to roll out more features and get development underway faster. That’s all. 👍🏻

 

[gwhizkids]

I was waiting for a new version to test. I wasn’t expecting a bunch of new changes with 18.3 (you can refer to my pre-18.3 in this very thread. I don’t have crazy high expectations for 18.3 or anything. I’m just a bit surprised at there being SO little in the way of any kind of changes. As I said before, I’m not really all that upset about it or anything, I’m sure some of the improvements/changes they planned to make in 18.3 are delayed until the next betas due to 18.2’s longer than planned rollout. I think we’ll hopefully see more in future 18.3 betas. I’m simply saying that if all of the 18.3 betas don’t add any kind of new improvements or minor features, I think that would be kind of boring, and be a missed opportunity to roll out more features and get development underway faster. That’s all.

I don’t think the (possible) one day delay in 18.2 being released would have impacted the release cadence for features in 18.3 beta 1. It just doesn’t work that way. No one was in the office late Sunday night in Cupertino feverishly cutting out code from 18.3 because 18.2 was a day late.

The iOS 18 cycle follows more or less the Apple development cycle for the last 5 (or more) years. Big release with X.0 version. Some cleanup stuff and added features in the X.1 release. Bigger features with the X.2 release. Cleanup release with the X.3 (with a few minor feature adds or tweaks) and the big finale with the X.4 release.

The amplitude of the “waves” (picture an oscilloscope) is greater this year than most due to the introduction of Apple Intelligence, but otherwise it’s fitting the general patter.

 

[kirbysmartsdawg]

I was waiting for a new version to test. I wasn’t expecting a bunch of new changes with 18.3 (you can refer to my pre-18.3 in this very thread. I don’t have crazy high expectations for 18.3 or anything. I’m just a bit surprised at there being SO little in the way of any kind of changes. As I said before, I’m not really all that upset about it or anything, I’m sure some of the improvements/changes they planned to make in 18.3 are delayed until the next betas due to 18.2’s longer than planned rollout. I think we’ll hopefully see more in future 18.3 betas. I’m simply saying that if all of the 18.3 betas don’t add any kind of new improvements or minor features, I think that would be kind of boring, and be a missed opportunity to roll out more features and get development underway faster. That’s all. 👍🏻

Oh yeah, 100% get what you are saying. I guess I had lower expectations for 18.3. If all it does is fix some needed bugs, I think its a success. I have been hoping for Apple to slow down a bit for a while now. I was ready for 18.3 without any new AI features. I feel like it's time they let them settle in, and go and fix the features that still need a little work. I always felt like 18.3 would be just that.

 

[Kal Madda]

I don’t think the (possible) one day delay in 18.2 being released would have impacted the release cadence for features in 18.3 beta 1. It just doesn’t work that way. No one was in the office late Sunday night in Cupertino feverishly cutting out code from 18.3 because 18.2 was a day late.

The iOS 18 cycle follows more or less the Apple development cycle for the last 5 (or more) years. Big release with X.0 version. Some cleanup stuff and added features in the X.1 release. Bigger features with the X.2 release. Cleanup release with the X.3 (with a few minor feature adds or tweaks) and the big finale with the X.4 release.

The amplitude of the “waves” (picture an oscilloscope) is greater this year than most due to the introduction of Apple Intelligence, but otherwise it’s fitting the general patter.

Usually, while .3 updates are comparatively smaller I new additions, there are some new additions. 18.3, however, is just basically 18.2 with a dark mode Camera Control icon in Settings that should have been dark mode in 18.2…. There’s like, nothing…. Again, I’m not too upset, and I’m sure they may add some more changes in future 18.3 betas, but this isn’t the usual level of “small changes” that come in a .3 update. Usually a .3 update brings less changes, while this .3 beta brings basically zero changes. Even Zollo could only dredge up two changes, one of which may not even be an actual change at all (he thinks the AI models might be improved). Again, I’m not really upset about it, I just don’t think that this is normal either. Hopefully some more improvements and changes will actually come in future 18.3 updates. Both of you seem to believe 18.3 should include some improvements to existing features (most of what I thought may come like some additional control options in the Control Center or additional Siri Shortcut actions would be improvements to an existing feature). Currently there aren’t really any observable improvements to any existing features (unless if you assume Zollo is correct on his belief that some AI models have been improved, which still is pretty minor). So I think hopefully some new tweaks will come in 18.3, otherwise I don’t have any idea why they would even bother considering it different from 18.2, and us content creators will have nothing to talk about when 18.3 drops, except basically “look, we get second iOS 18.2, now with a new and improved dark mode icon for Camera Control in the Accessibility section!” 😂🤣👍🏻. I think it’s pretty likely that future betas of 18.3 will include more…

 

[kirbysmartsdawg]

Usually, while .3 updates are comparatively smaller I new additions, there are some new additions. 18.3, however, is just basically 18.2 with a dark mode Camera Control icon in Settings that should have been dark mode in 18.2…. There’s like, nothing…. Again, I’m not too upset, and I’m sure they may add some more changes in future 18.3 betas, but this isn’t the usual level of “small changes” that come in a .3 update. Usually a .3 update brings less changes, while this .3 beta brings basically zero changes. Even Zollo could only dredge up two changes, one of which may not even be an actual change at all (he thinks the AI models might be improved). Again, I’m not really upset about it, I just don’t think that this is normal either. Hopefully some more improvements and changes will actually come in future 18.3 updates. Both of you seem to believe 18.3 should include some improvements to existing features (most of what I thought may come like some additional control options in the Control Center or additional Siri Shortcut actions would be improvements to an existing feature). Currently there aren’t really any observable improvements to any existing features (unless if you assume Zollo is correct on his belief that some AI models have been improved, which still is pretty minor). So I think hopefully some new tweaks will come in 18.3, otherwise I don’t have any idea why they would even bother considering it different from 18.2, and us content creators will have nothing to talk about when 18.3 drops, except basically “look, we get second iOS 18.2, now with a new and improved dark mode icon for Camera Control in the Accessibility section!” 😂🤣👍🏻. I think it’s pretty likely that future betas of 18.3 will include more…

If Zello is right, that is exactly the type of changes I and I think @gwhizkids are talking about. Improvements to the AI models is exactly what is needed, and cleaning up those few bugs that are hanging around. The control center and Siri Shortcut action additional features you keep mentioning don't really seem like things that are very important or needed right now. Change to change has never been Apple's MO.

 

[gwhizkids]

Usually, while .3 updates are comparatively smaller I new additions, there are some new additions. 18.3, however, is just basically 18.2 with a dark mode Camera Control icon in Settings that should have been dark mode in 18.2…. There’s like, nothing…. Again, I’m not too upset, and I’m sure they may add some more changes in future 18.3 betas, but this isn’t the usual level of “small changes” that come in a .3 update. Usually a .3 update brings less changes, while this .3 beta brings basically zero changes. Even Zollo could only dredge up two changes, one of which may not even be an actual change at all (he thinks the AI models might be improved). Again, I’m not really upset about it, I just don’t think that this is normal either. Hopefully some more improvements and changes will actually come in future 18.3 updates. Both of you seem to believe 18.3 should include some improvements to existing features (most of what I thought may come like some additional control options in the Control Center or additional Siri Shortcut actions would be improvements to an existing feature). Currently there aren’t really any observable improvements to any existing features (unless if you assume Zollo is correct on his belief that some AI models have been improved, which still is pretty minor). So I think hopefully some new tweaks will come in 18.3, otherwise I don’t have any idea why they would even bother considering it different from 18.2, and us content creators will have nothing to talk about when 18.3 drops, except basically “look, we get second iOS 18.2, now with a new and improved dark mode icon for Camera Control in the Accessibility section!” . I think it’s pretty likely that future betas of 18.3 will include more…

There’s never been anything like Apple Intelligence either. That has skewed things.

But Jason Snell of Six Colors has a similar hypothesis to you on the 𝘜𝘱𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘥𝘦 podcast yesterday. He said he did not receive a briefing on 18.3 (clearly implying that he 𝘩𝘢𝘴 received briefings on the earlier releases). He threw out the idea that 18.3 b1 was released relatively feature-free to get it out there and that there might be features added later after the holiday period.

We’ll see. I tend to think anything added will be modest. 18.4 should be on the scene in 6 or so weeks.

Go enjoy the holidays!

 

[Kal Madda]

There’s never been anything like Apple Intelligence either. That has skewed things.

But Jason Snell of Six Colors has a similar hypothesis to you on the 𝘜𝘱𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘥𝘦 podcast yesterday. He said he did not receive a briefing on 18.3 (clearly implying that he 𝘩𝘢𝘴 received briefings on the earlier releases). He threw out the idea that 18.3 b1 was released relatively feature-free to get it out there and that there might be features added later after the holiday period.

We’ll see. I tend to think anything added will be modest. 18.4 should be on the scene in 6 or so weeks.

Go enjoy the holidays!

It’s true that we haven’t had something like Apple Intelligence before, I just am guessing we’ll hopefully see some new stuff added in future 18.3 updates. Again, I’m not faulting Apple or anything for their absence in this beta. But I very much doubt that Apple will release 18.3 with no further additions or improvements. I doubt they’re going to release it with a very short release notes page that reads “improvements to Apple Intelligence models and dark mode icon for Camera Control Accessibility settings.” I just don’t see that happening….

I would definitely agree with Jason Snell’s take on this, I think 18.3 beta 1 was just a simple update pushed out before the holidays to address a couple minor bugs, and when Apple comes back from the holidays we’ll begin to see some more improvements. Again, I’m not expecting major changes or anything, but I’m sure there will be some more minor improvements.

Also, to clarify, I’m not arguing for change for change’s sake. There are legitimate reasons to make improvements to things like existing Siri Shortcuts, and additional Control Center toggles, and other system features. That’s why Apple has made improvements to these things in every beta up to this point. Maybe they won’t make any improvements to those particular things in 18.3, it doesn’t matter to me all that much, I’m not really in need of any particular changes with those things, though there are some improvements I’d like to see made with some of the new Siri Shortcuts actions. I’m not really expecting anything in particular from 18.3. But I’m sure that 18.3 will have some new improvements to offer, otherwise it wouldn’t make much sense to call it 18.3 rather than 18.2.1….

I hope you enjoy the holidays as well! 👍🏻

 

[Kal Madda]

If Zello is right, that is exactly the type of changes I and I think @gwhizkids are talking about. Improvements to the AI models is exactly what is needed, and cleaning up those few bugs that are hanging around. The control center and Siri Shortcut action additional features you keep mentioning don't really seem like things that are very important or needed right now. Change to change has never been Apple's MO.

But all I’m pointing out is that 18.3 currently doesn’t address that many bugs even. There is exactly one bug that Apple cites as being addressed, and it’s a very minor one. Again, I’m not faulting them for that, as I have been saying, I think we’ll see more improvements in 18.3 when we get more betas after the holidays. Perhaps 18.3 will actually include some of those bug fixes you’re talking about in future betas. But this beta lacks those bug fixes. So I’m hoping for your sake that future 18.3 betas include more improvements than the current one, otherwise it won’t add any of the things that you want added either.

I hope you enjoy the holidays as well! 👍🏻🎄

 

[kirbysmartsdawg]

But all I’m pointing out is that 18.3 currently doesn’t address that many bugs even. There is exactly one bug that Apple cites as being addressed, and it’s a very minor one. Again, I’m not faulting them for that, as I have been saying, I think we’ll see more improvements in 18.3 when we get more betas after the holidays. Perhaps 18.3 will actually include some of those bug fixes you’re talking about in future betas. But this beta lacks those bug fixes. So I’m hoping for your sake that future 18.3 betas include more improvements than the current one, otherwise it won’t add any of the things that you want added either.

I hope you enjoy the holidays as well! 👍🏻🎄

Oh yes I agree that it offers little bug fixes even at this point. I honestly think they wanted to get it out there on the roadmap they set out from the beginning, but the bug fixes would come later. So yes I agree with you on that.

Enjoy your holidays as well!

 

[gwhizkids]

Oh yes I agree that it offers little bug fixes even at this point. I honestly think they wanted to get it out there on the roadmap they set out from the beginning, but the bug fixes would come later. So yes I agree with you on that.

Enjoy your holidays as well!

No bug fixes… that we know about. I’m sure there are lots of tune ups in the code. For instance the Apple Intelligence files are now 3.18 GB vs 2.63 GB in earlier releases. That’s nearly a 20% increase. That’s doing something.

 

[kirbysmartsdawg]

No bug fixes… that we know about. I’m sure there are lots of tune ups in the code. For instance the Apple Intelligence files are now 3.18 GB vs 2.63 GB in earlier releases. That’s nearly a 20% increase. That’s doing something.

That’s what I meant. That we know of. Sorry none of the bugs I have experienced have been fixed. But yes that a huge difference.

 

[gank41]

Funny that it's an "e" build just before the holidays. Here's to speculating that it'll probably be alright!

 

[Realityck]

No bug fixes… that we know about. I’m sure there are lots of tune ups in the code. For instance the Apple Intelligence files are now 3.18 GB vs 2.63 GB in earlier releases. That’s nearly a 20% increase. That’s doing something.

Macworld mentioned the following with iOS 18.3 beta
New Feature
Robot Vacuum support: The Home app gains support for robot vacuums (Roomba et al.). The vacuum has to support HomeKit or Matter, of course.

 

[Cobold]

Funny that it's an "e" build just before the holidays. Here's to speculating that it'll probably be alright!

Why is that funny? Build 22D5034 has been compiled 4 times, thus the "e" at the end.
Would it be even funnier if it had been compiled 5 times? Or just 3? Where's the fun?
I'm not getting it.🤔

 

[gank41]

Why is that funny? Build 22D5034 has been compiled 4 times, thus the "e" at the end.
Would it be even funnier if it had been compiled 5 times? Or just 3? Where's the fun?
I'm not getting it.🤔

I'm just saying that an 'e" build to me would imply that it's possibly more stable or that certain issues were addressed before getting to us. I say it's "Funny" in that I'm probably going to put the holidays at risk by installing a beta on my iPhone because it probably won't be as bad as other times I've been burned over the holidays 😆

 

[bigjnyc]

Why is that funny? Build 22D5034 has been compiled 4 times, thus the "e" at the end.
Would it be even funnier if it had been compiled 5 times? Or just 3? Where's the fun?
I'm not getting it.🤔

 

[gtmead09]

So Apple removed the ability to downgrade to 18.1.1. That in the past has been a sign of a new update coming in the next week. But next week is a holiday and I don't see them releasing anything. Potentially 18.2.1 today? We have heard no signs of it but I would think Apple would want it out today before the holiday period begins if it exists.

Also
17.2 - Dec 11
17.2.1 - Dec 19

18.2 - Dec 11
18.2.1 - Dec 19????

 

[Kal Madda]

So Apple removed the ability to downgrade to 18.1.1. That in the past has been a sign of a new update coming in the next week. But next week is a holiday and I don't see them releasing anything. Potentially 18.2.1 today? We have heard no signs of it but I would think Apple would want it out today before the holiday period begins if it exists.

Also
17.2 - Dec 11
17.2.1 - Dec 19

18.2 - Dec 11
18.2.1 - Dec 19????

Maybe. I don’t know what a 18.2.1 would fix though. 18.2 seems to be very stable for most…

 

[Tomas1988]

So Apple removed the ability to downgrade to 18.1.1. That in the past has been a sign of a new update coming in the next week. But next week is a holiday and I don't see them releasing anything. Potentially 18.2.1 today? We have heard no signs of it but I would think Apple would want it out today before the holiday period begins if it exists.

Also
17.2 - Dec 11
17.2.1 - Dec 19

18.2 - Dec 11
18.2.1 - Dec 19????

I think you're right..another option is tomorrow maybe

 

[gank41]

So Apple removed the ability to downgrade to 18.1.1. That in the past has been a sign of a new update coming in the next week. But next week is a holiday and I don't see them releasing anything. Potentially 18.2.1 today? We have heard no signs of it but I would think Apple would want it out today before the holiday period begins if it exists.

Also
17.2 - Dec 11
17.2.1 - Dec 19

18.2 - Dec 11
18.2.1 - Dec 19????

I would not be surprised in the least if we saw 18.2.1 to shore things up for the long holiday break.

 

[yeahtyeaht]

Maybe. I don’t know what a 18.2.1 would fix though. 18.2 seems to be very stable for most…

There are always some bugs to fix