iOS 18.2 is set to release this December, and with just a few weeks left in the year, we expect the new iPhone update to launch very soon.
The update brings some significant Apple Intelligence features to your iPhone, including new ways to express yourself in Messages, a major Siri upgrade, and exclusive AI tools for iPhone 16.
With the release candidate of iOS 18.2 launched this week, the official release isn’t far off. Here are four major Apple Intelligence upgrades to look forward to:
1. Genmoji
Genmoji is one of the best AI features I’ve ever tried on an iPhone. Once generative AI emojis become widely available, the feature will get even better. I’ve previously mentioned that Genmoji is set to make Apple Intelligence a success, and after using it in my daily life for several months as part of the iOS 18.2 beta, I’m still convinced.
Once Genmoji launches, you’ll be able to create any emoji you can imagine and share it with friends and family. Before you know it, every conversation might feature skateboarding frogs or dogs eating pasta. Doesn’t that sound amazing? After iOS 18.2 is released, make sure to check out our guide on how to use Genmoji.
2. ChatGPT in Siri
ChatGPT is now integrated into Siri, and it works exactly as you’d expect. With iOS 18.2, you can access ChatGPT via voice or Type to Siri and ask it complex questions that Siri couldn’t previously answer.
This new Siri update is a big step forward. While impressive now, it’s just a glimpse of what’s coming next year when Siri gains on-screen contextual awareness and the ability to understand personal context.
3. Image Playground
Image Playground is Apple’s latest AI image generator, and it’s… well, decent. While it’s fast at generating images, I found Apple’s safety measures somewhat limiting, making the tool feel a bit outdated compared to competitors.
It’s worth noting that all officially launched Apple Intelligence features are still technically in beta, so we might not see the final version of Image Playground for a while.
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In iOS 18.2, you’ll get a new app icon specifically for Image Playground. You can quickly generate images based on prompts, people in your Photos app, and various art styles. It works as expected, but I’ve yet to find a practical use for it beyond being a fun tool you try once and forget. Who knows? Maybe Image Playground will go mainstream.
4. Mail App Categorization
The Mail app gets a complete overhaul in iOS 18.2 with new Gmail-like categories. Leveraging Apple Intelligence, your iPhone will now determine where an email should be categorized and whether it’s a priority.
I loved this new Mail app update. While it takes some getting used to, it’s definitely an improvement over the older version found in iOS 18.
If only one Apple Intelligence feature from iOS 18.2 becomes a part of your daily routine, it’ll probably be this one.
Bonus: Visual Intelligence
Last but not least is Visual Intelligence, an exclusive Apple Intelligence tool for iPhone 16. Built into the camera controls, Visual Intelligence allows you to take a photo of anything you see in the real world and then search for information about it using ChatGPT or Google.
Think of it as Apple’s version of Google Lens. Thanks to dedicated hardware on the latest iPhones, this feature quickly becomes an essential part of your workflow.
