Your iPhone may get biggest free upgrade ever this year - dates you need to know

30 January 2024 , 07:48

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iPhone 15 release (Image: APPLE)

Anyone with an iPhone in their pocket will see a blockbuster update arrive later this year and it could be one the biggest ever. That's according to Bloomberg's Apple expert Mark Gurman who says the upcoming iOS 18 operating system may be "one of the biggest iOS updates – if not the biggest – in the company's history." It seems this software boost could be all about Artificial Intelligence (AI) and making features such as Siri a little more useful for consumers.

That would make a huge amount of sense especially as rivals such as Google and Samsung continue to push the boundaries with features such as instant foreign call translation, Circle to Search and automatic photo editing which can magically remove things from photos with just a tap on the screen.

Apple clearly won't want to get left behind which is why 2024 could be such a big year for AI on the iPhone.

Along with Siri, it's also been widely reported that apps such as Messages, Pages and Apple Music could also see significant AI updates later in the year. This could mean writing a document is made easier - via ChatGPT style editing - or finding songs you like won't be such as laborious mission.

Of course, Apple always stays tight-lipped about any new changes and we won't find out full details until the firm's WWDC Developers Conference which always takes place at the start of June.

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Even after iOS 18 has been officially announced, consumers won't see it arrive on their devices until September so there's quite a wait before you'll be able to access it.

Another reason why Apple could make big noises about its software this year is due to the lack of any major changes to the next upcoming iPhone 16. Samsung did something very similar this month when it launched the Galaxy S24 range. These devices don't look that much different on the outside but have major AI advancements tucked inside including better camera features and the ability to search for something on the web simply by circling it in a picture. AI is also being used on these Android phones to help make notes, transcribe meetings and make your thoughts look more appealing on a page.

It will certainly be a big year for Apple with iOS 18 looking set to be a blockbuster release and the firm's new Vision Pro headset finally launching in parts of the world.

Dave Snelling