Over six months have passed since iOS 18's debut, yet it is still considered a "work in progress" by many users due to the incomplete rollout of promised features.

According to recent data analyzed by reputable foreign websites, Apple is internally testing iOS 18.2.1 for iPhones. However, this iteration is anticipated to be a minor update, primarily addressing bugs and security vulnerabilities. A fully functional iOS 18 remains a distant prospect for mainland Chinese users.

Yet, today, foreign sources have brought good news regarding iOS 19 device compatibility.

Foreign media reports indicate that Apple is gearing up for iOS 19 development, demonstrating continued support for older models. This explains why some users directly commend Apple for its conscientiousness.

The oldest devices on the support list are the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR, all released in September 2018.

If accurate, this will mark the second consecutive year that Apple has not abandoned any iPhone model in its annual major iOS release. The last time such support was trimmed was with iOS 17, which dropped support for the iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, and iPhone X.

Moreover, all iPad models compatible with iPadOS 18 will also support iPadOS 19 next year.

The initial betas of iOS 19 and iPadOS 19 are expected to be released during WWDC 2025 in June, with the updates likely to be available in September.

While details on iOS 19 features are scarce, Siri is anticipated to become more conversational, akin to ChatGPT, in a later iOS 19.4 update projected for around March 2026.

Reportedly, the codenames for iOS 19, macOS 16, watchOS 12, and visionOS 3 are Luck, Cheer, Nepali, and Discovery, respectively.

With AI emerging as the next significant theme in tech, iOS 19 and other systems will focus on AI, enriching Apple Intelligence's capabilities. Apple Intelligence excels in data processing and context awareness, enabling it to deeply comprehend various device data, including photos, emails, messages, etc., and offer personalized intelligent services.

Foreign media reveals that Apple is developing a conversational Siri powered by a large AI model, allowing multi-turn dialogues using natural language, inspired by Google Gemini Live and ChatGPT. This Siri iteration is expected to debut in iOS 19 next year.

Compared to the current Siri, this new version achieves a qualitative leap in intelligence and humanization, understanding user commands more accurately and engaging in more natural dialogues, similar to ChatGPT and Google Gemini. Leveraging Apple's new AI model, this Siri can also precisely control third-party apps, catering to diverse user needs.

Notably, the new Siri will deeply integrate Apple Intelligence, enabling advanced operations like text writing and summarization, enhancing Siri's practicality and showcasing Apple's AI prowess. Foreign media notes that while the new Siri won't officially arrive on iOS 19 and macOS 16 until spring 2026, Apple has already hinted at Siri's evolution in iOS 18.x updates.

Moreover, the latest reports indicate that Apple has commenced development on the visionOS 3 update for the upcoming Apple Vision Pro, accelerating its next-generation OS layout.

Previous analysis suggested that the slow rollout of iOS 18 to iOS 18.4 impacted iOS 19's development. Currently, Apple engineers are primarily focused on iOS 18 projects, potentially delaying new iOS 19 features. If this trend persists, iOS 19's main features might face similar delays as iOS 18.4.

Apple is expected to officially announce iOS 19 and iPadOS 19 at WWDC 2025 in June. Here's a glimpse of the newly revealed features:

Enhanced Siri Functionality: Siri in iOS 19 will undergo a significant upgrade, becoming more conversational and capable of understanding and generating more natural, human-like language. Dubbed "LLM Siri," this upgraded Siri will perform complex tasks and assist with a broader range of inquiries, existing as a standalone app with a redesigned interface.

Expansion of Apple Intelligence: Introduced in iOS 18, Apple Intelligence will be further enhanced in iOS 19. Rumors suggest AI-driven features in Apple Music, like smart playlist generation.

Shift in Software Release Strategy: Apple is transitioning from fixed annual feature releases to a readiness-based approach. This might mean iOS 19 initially lacks many new features, rolling them out gradually over time.

Improvements in Performance, Security, and UI Design: Besides AI and Siri upgrades, iOS 19 is also expected to bring minor enhancements in performance, security, and user interface design.

Enhanced Privacy Protection: iOS 19 may introduce robust privacy features to address growing user concerns about personal information security, including stricter app permissions and data encryption.

Cross-Device Integration: Apple plans to introduce seamless collaboration between Apple devices.

These features underscore Apple's commitment to AI, privacy, and user experience. The specifics of iOS 19 will be unveiled at WWDC 2025 in June.

While discussing iOS 19 might seem premature given unfinished iOS 18 features, we prefer Apple's focus on quality over rushed releases. With the new Siri, it remains to be seen if third-party services like ChatGPT and Gemini will be marginalized on Apple devices. However, many features won't arrive until 2026 at the earliest, giving up to a year and a half for developments. Let's wait and see.

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