Four staple apps rumoured to receive major updates in iOS 18

The hype for the iPhone 16 is building up - even as far as the iPhone 17.

In the meantime, iPhone owners can look forward to a refreshing update with iOS 18 that is set to revamp many aspects of their Apple devices.

This week, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman revealed that "the next version of iOS is expected to be a big one."

However, Gurman warned that whilst the update isn't “an iOS 7-level design overhaul", user can expect to see a redesign of some of its existing apps.

NurPhoto / Contributor / Getty

According to Gurman: “Apple is planning to overhaul many of its most popular apps" including the Notes, Mail, Photos, and Fitness apps.

Although the chief correspondent for Bloomberg didn’t explain exactly what would change with them, however, the scope of iOS 18 suggests that big changes are on the cards.

Some of these apps are long overdue for a revamp, so this should come as great news to many daily Apple users.

In particular, some rumours suspect that the Notes app will be getting an update to include built-in voice recordings and something called ‘Math Notes’.

Both of these will bring the organisation app more on par with Microsoft's OneNote app.

On the user interface front, Gurman speculates Apple to make major changes to the iPhone Home Screen.

“Users will be able to pin app icons anywhere they’d like, even outside of the normal grid,” he wrote.

MStudioImages / Getty

The upcoming iOS 18 will allow users to make “design tweaks that make it more modular (easier to update and customize).”

Furthermore, the tech giant has spoken about plans to implement generative AI features on future iPhones, following discussions with OpenAI.

With AI still a hot topic in the world of tech, Apple is keen on integrating native GenAI features into iPhones sooner rather than later.

Apple has reportedly had similar discussions with Google about future smart software integration. More details of this are expected to be revealed at Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) on June 10.

Whether these AI changes could completely change the way Apple users interact with their apps today or become experimental features never to be touched again is still anyone's guess.