iOS 18 won't be a major design change, but these four apps are getting a major overhaul

Mail on iPhone
(Image credit: Future)

A new inside report into iOS 18 ahead of WWDC 2024 says Apple isn’t planning a major overhaul to the design of its iPhone operating system, but instead is planning to overhaul several major apps individually. 

Writing in the paid section of his Power On newsletter, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman revealed this week that while “The next version of iOS is expected to be a big one,” eager users should not expect “an iOS 7-level design overhaul.” Instead, Gurman says “Apple is planning to overhaul many of its most popular apps,” including Mail, Photos, Fitness, and Notes. Earlier in April, the latter had already been tipped to get a major update including audio recordings and so-called ‘Math Notes’.

iOS 18’s major app updates 

Gurman’s list of apps expected to get a major overhaul isn’t definitive here, but as a first look, it sounds promising. I don’t think any iPhone user would begrudge an overhauled Mail app, and while Photos and Fitness have some cool features, big changes there would also be welcome. 

Gurman also reiterates the rumor that Apple is planning some big 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 writes. Gurman further notes iOS 18 “will also include design tweaks that make it more modular (easier to update and customize).” 

Apple’s AI offering is also expected to take center stage in iOS 18. Previously, we’ve heard that Apple is planning to improve at least six of its apps and features with AI, such as Siri, an obvious choice and one tipped for an artificial intelligence boost. Other AI upgrades expected include the Messages app, Xcode, Apple Music, Pages, and Keynote. Add Mail, Photos, Fitness, and Notes to that list, and iOS 18 starts to look like one of the most exciting upgrades in years. 

While iOS 18 will be unveiled at WWDC 2024 on June 10, it won’t be released to the public until September, alongside Apple’s new best iPhone, the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro.

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Stephen Warwick
News Editor

Stephen Warwick has written about Apple for five years at iMore and previously elsewhere. He covers all of iMore's latest breaking news regarding all of Apple's products and services, both hardware and software. Stephen has interviewed industry experts in a range of fields including finance, litigation, security, and more. He also specializes in curating and reviewing audio hardware and has experience beyond journalism in sound engineering, production, and design. Before becoming a writer Stephen studied Ancient History at University and also worked at Apple for more than two years. Stephen is also a host on the iMore show, a weekly podcast recorded live that discusses the latest in breaking Apple news, as well as featuring fun trivia about all things Apple. Follow him on Twitter @stephenwarwick9

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