iOS 18.4 Official Release: 10 Major Updates & Some iPhone Users Left Behind
Finally! Apple has officially released iOS 18.4, but this update marks a major turning point for iPhones. You may not fully realize it yet, but by the end of this article, you’ll understand: iOS 18.4 has effectively divided iPhones into two categories—AI-powered devices and non-AI devices. Many older iPhones are being “left behind,” especially those below the iPhone 15 series. If you’re using an older model, think twice before upgrading.
Let’s dive straight into the top 10 new features in iOS 18.4. The first five are AI-related, while the rest are general system improvements. See which ones matter to you!
1. Priority Notification
This feature is based on Apple’s on-device AI. Previously, iPhone lock screens only displayed regular notifications. With this update, users can enable “Priority Notifications” to highlight urgent messages at the top of the lock screen, making them more noticeable. Less important notifications will be collapsed below.
2. 5G-A (Advanced 5G)
5G-A is an upgraded version of 5G, offering faster speeds and lower latency. However, it requires hardware support for carrier aggregation technology. Only the iPhone 15 and iPhone 16 series meet this requirement. Although older models may display the 5G-A icon after updating, they won’t experience any real performance improvements. Also, users must ensure their carrier supports 5G-A for this feature to work.
3. Visual Intelligence
As the name suggests, this AI-powered feature turns your iPhone into a smart recognition tool. It can identify text, images, vehicles, locations, plants, and animals. Need to translate a menu? Identify an unknown plant? Recognize a landmark? Visual Intelligence has you covered. However, it’s exclusive to the iPhone 16 series. The iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 16e can access it via the Control Center or Action Button.
4. AI-Powered App Store Review Summaries
When downloading an app, you can now see AI-generated review summaries. Unlike the previous review system, which was vulnerable to fake reviews, these summaries are created using Apple’s cloud-based AI models and updated weekly. This makes it harder for developers to manipulate ratings, strengthening App Store oversight.
5. Apple Intelligence Supports Simplified Chinese
Apple’s AI now supports Simplified Chinese. However, iPhones sold in China cannot yet access Apple Intelligence. Apple is working with Alibaba to enable this functionality, but users will need to wait a bit longer.
6. Expanded NFC Functionality
Unlike Android devices, iPhones have had limited NFC features. With iOS 18.4, Apple is finally opening NFC to third-party apps, allowing users to link their iPhone with transit cards, car keys, and access control systems. Unfortunately, China is not in the first batch of supported regions, so users there will have to wait.
7. Option to Disable Safari Search History
For those concerned about privacy, iOS 18.4 introduces a new option to disable Safari’s “Show Recent Searches” feature, preventing others from seeing your search history.
8. New Emojis
iOS 18.4 adds eight new emojis, including a carrot, shovel, fingerprint, and harp. However, these emojis will only be visible on updated devices.
9. Vision Pro Companion App
Similar to the Apple Watch app, Apple Vision Pro now has its own dedicated app for managing content and viewing device information. This is great news for Vision Pro users.
10. Ambient Music
iOS 18.4 introduces four new quick-toggle soundscapes in the Control Center: Health, Relaxation, Productivity, and Sleep. These ambient sounds aim to enhance focus and relaxation.
Should You Upgrade?
Overall, iOS 18.4 is a major AI-focused upgrade that widens the gap between newer and older iPhones. If you own an iPhone 16 series or iPhone 15 Pro, go ahead and update—this version is designed for your device. But if you have an older iPhone, think carefully. Many of the best features won’t work, and you might experience battery drain or overheating. In that case, upgrading might not be worth it. Stay cautious!
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