The road to iOS 18: Highlighting 5 years of major iPhone software updates

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iOS 18 hype is real. But first, we’re exploring the iOS evolution to this point. (Express image)

iOS is Apple’s proprietary mobile operating system that runs on the iPhone and iPod Touch. Over the past 5 years, iOS has evolved significantly with major new versions bringing major changes and improvements. As iOS 18 is set for release later this year, let’s take a look back at the recent evolution of iOS.

iOS 18

With the launch of iOS 18 just a few months away, anticipation is building for Apple’s next major update to its iPhone operating system. According to reports, iOS 18 will introduce Apple’s most ambitious AI integration yet, thanks to new large language models powering enhancements across Siri, Messages, Apple Music, and more.

Bloomberg has described iOS 18 as Apple’s most “compelling” update in years, considered “groundbreaking” inside Apple for its major new features and designs. Rumours also suggest iOS 18 will feature visionOS-inspired translucent menus and other visual tweaks. And in a surprise move, Apple announced that RCS messaging support between iPhones and Android devices is coming, which most likely will pop up on iOS 18.

iOS 17

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(Image: Apple)

Released in 2023, iOS 17 focused on refinements to core apps like Phone, FaceTime, and Messages. Key new additions included the ability to give Siri back-to-back commands, an overhauled Stickers experience in Messages, and a new Journal app to create intuitive journals from your photos, locations, and more. iOS 17 also introduced “StandBy,” a fullscreen minimalist display while your phone charges.

iOS 16

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(Image: Apple)

Apple’s 2022 iOS update was headlined by enhancements to features like Messages and Apple Wallet. This included new Message features like editing and unsending, as well as Wallet’s Apple Pay Later installment payments and Order Tracking. Maps received a full redesign, with cycling directions and 3D city experiences added.

iOS 15

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(Image: Apple)

Building on privacy and security initiatives, 2021’s iOS 15 blocked more ad tracking and added App Privacy Reports to show data access. Siri and Photos received upgrades like on-device speech processing and Live Text.

Reflecting the remote work trend, iOS 15 enhanced apps like FaceTime with expanded web/Android access, SharePlay co-viewing, and Spatial Audio for more natural video chats. The new Focus mode let users limit app notifications to reduce distractions.

iOS 14

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(Image: Apple)

Perhaps the most customisable iOS release, 2020’s iOS 14 introduced Home Screen Widgets for information at a glance, the App Library for organising apps, and the ability to set default email/browser apps. Other additions like Picture-in-Picture and AirPods Spatial Audio made the user experience more seamless.

iOS 13

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(Image: Apple)

Released in 2019, iOS 13 marked the split between the iPhone and iPad operating systems. With the launch of iPadOS 13, Apple’s tablet gained new multitasking capabilities and other features tailored specifically for the larger screen.

For iPhone users, iOS 13 sped up common actions like app launches, Face ID unlocking, and first-time setup. System-wide Dark Mode was introduced for the first time, along with the new Sign In with Apple login option focused on privacy.

The update also brought major redesigns for pre-installed apps like Reminders, Maps, and Photos. Camera and Portrait mode gained new lighting effects and controls.

Wrapping up

With each annual update, iOS continues moving iPhone technology forward with new capabilities. As iOS 18 nears launch, Apple looks to be planning its most intelligent software release yet by harnessing the power of generative AI.

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