Simply because your iPhone can run the most recent model of Apple’s iOS software program doesn’t suggest each function included in that replace will work in your cellphone. Generally, choose options have {hardware} necessities that older gadgets merely cannot meet.
And that is true of iOS 18, which Apple simply previewed at WWDC 2024. When it arrives later this yr, iOS 18 will run on iPhones courting again to 2019, together with the iPhone XR, iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max. However a handful of iOS 18 options aren’t going to work on older handsets, and it is good to know which of them you are doubtlessly lacking out on.
We’re not simply speaking about Apple Intelligence options, both. These AI-powered capabilities are restricted to the iPhone 15 Professional and iPhone 15 Professional Max in the mean time, although we’re anticipating all 4 iPhone 16 fashions coming within the fall to assist Apple Intelligence. Slightly, these are different capabilities baked into the software program which have extra stringent necessities than iOS 18 itself.
This is a rundown of the iOS 18 options which have very particular {hardware} necessities. We’ll additionally record options coming to the iPhone that will likely be restricted to particular languages and areas.
iOS 18 options restricted by {hardware}
Messages by way of Satellite tv for pc
In iOS 18, you can textual content even when there isn’t any Wi-Fi or mobile connectivity round, however you may want an iPhone 14 or later to take action. That restriction is hardly a shock, as Apple solely began providing the Emergency SOS by way of Satellite tv for pc function with the discharge of the iPhone 14, and Messages by way of Satellite tv for pc faucets into that very same functionality.
When you’ve bought a suitable cellphone, it seems that the texting expertise over satellite tv for pc would be the similar as when you have been linked to a Wi-Fi or mobile community. Ship a message utilizing Apple’s iMessages platform, for instance, and you may nonetheless be capable to ship emojis and tapbacks even when linked by way of satellite tv for pc. These iMessages could have end-to-end encryption, too.
Audio transcription in Notes
The Notes app is getting a built-in recording function in iOS 18, and we might anticipate that to be out there on all iPhones able to operating the software program replace. What will not be broadly out there is the flexibility to generate audio transcripts on the fly that you could then search or mix with different parts. That function would require an iPhone 12 or later.
Whereas we’re speaking restrictions, audio transcripts will solely be supported in English for customers in Australia, Canada, Eire, New Zealand, South Africa, the U.Okay. and the U.S.
Improve Dialogue in Apple’s TV app
When you’ve ever had a tough time making out what characters are saying amid all of the background noise, sound results and music in a present or film, then Improve Dialogue is tailored for you. It makes use of machine studying to spice up speech over different audio, making issues extra audible.
You will want an iPhone 11 or later to get pleasure from Improve Dialogue within the TV app, however the excellent news is that the function works with the cellphone’s built-in audio system in addition to wired headphones, AirPods and different Bluetooth-connected audio gear.
Wirelessly use your cellphone to open good locks
An replace to the Dwelling app in iOS 18 allows you to unlock doorways simply by carrying round an iPhone or carrying an Apple Watch. However that function is determined by Extremely Wideband, so if you wish to get pleasure from hands-free unlocking by means of your iPhone, you are going to want not less than an iPhone 11 or later. Meaning house owners of an iPhone XR, iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max or any iPhone SE are locked out. (It in all probability goes with out saying, however you may want a sensible lock with an Extremely Wideband chip of its personal for this function to work.)
Accessibility enhancements
A pair of accessibility options will solely work on sure iPhone fashions operating iOS 18. Eye monitoring, which helps you to management your iPhone utilizing your eyes, would require an iPhone 12 or later; the function additionally works on the iPhone SE 2022.
In the meantime a Music Haptics function that makes use of the iPhone’s Taptic Engine to pulse in time with the rhythm of a tune requires an iPhone 12 or later. That function’s aimed toward serving to individuals with impaired listening to use Apple Music.
iOS 18 options restricted by language and area
Mail categorization
An enormous change to the Mail app entails on-device categorization the place incoming messages will likely be despatched to completely different mailboxes like Major, Promotions, Transactions and Updates. Not solely is the function coming within the yr, it is also restricted to English in Australia, Canada, India, Eire, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa, the U.Okay. and the U.S.
Safari Highlights and Reader Summaries
In iOS 18 our iPhone’s built-in internet browser will be capable to skim by means of internet pages and name out particular data — instructions to a enterprise that you’ve got appeared up utilizing Safari, for instance. That function will solely be out there within the U.S., for now.
The same function is coming to Safari’s Reader, as you may now get a abstract and a desk of contents on articles that you just view utilizing this function. It is English-only, but it surely has a wider attain, with availability in Australia, Canada, Eire, New Zealand, South Africa, the U.Okay. and the U.S.
Topographic Maps
Maps on the iPhone will add topographic maps in iOS 18 that embrace trails and hikes, together with maps of all 63 U.S. Nationwide Parks. However these are solely going to be out there within the U.S. and Japan. You will additionally should be a U.S. iPhone consumer if you wish to flick thru Maps’ assortment of various hikes that you could save to your cellphone.
Name recording and transcriptions
The cellphone app in your iPhone positive aspects the flexibility to file calls in iOS 18, and you’ll then transcribe these recordings. These transcriptions will likely be out there in English, Spanish, French, German, Japanese, Mandarin Chinese language, Cantonese and Portuguese.
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