Apple's latest iOS 18.4 update brings significant enhancements to iPhone users, while rumors of additional updates are already circulating. The current update introduces intelligent notification management, ambient sound features, and improved photo organization tools, making everyday iPhone usage more intuitive and personalized.
Apple Intelligence Prioritizes Your Notifications
One of the most practical additions in iOS 18.4 is the Priority Notifications feature, powered by Apple Intelligence. This AI-driven functionality automatically identifies and displays your most important notifications on the Lock Screen, while less urgent alerts can be viewed with a simple upward swipe. Users have granular control over this feature, with options to disable it entirely or configure it on an app-by-app basis. To set up Priority Notifications, navigate to the Notifications section in Settings, tap Prioritize Notifications, and select which apps deserve top billing. It's worth noting that Apple Intelligence features remain exclusive to the iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, and the entire iPhone 16 lineup.
Key iOS 18.4 Features:
- Priority Notifications (Apple Intelligence)
- Ambient Music playlists (Sleep, Chill, Productivity, Wellbeing)
- Enhanced Photos app organization
- Vision Pro app for headset owners
- Apple News+ Cooking mode
- Matter-compatible robot vacuum control via Home app
Upcoming Updates:
- iOS 18.4.1: Expected next week, focused on security and bug fixes
- iOS 18.5: Currently in beta, expected release in May 2025
Device Compatibility:
- iOS 18.4: iPhone 13 Pro and newer
- Apple Intelligence features: iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, iPhone 16 series only
Ambient Music Brings Curated Soundscapes to Control Center
iOS 18.4 introduces a new Ambient Sound category within Control Center, featuring hand-curated instrumental playlists designed for different moments in your day. The four available categories—Sleep, Chill, Productivity, and Wellbeing—each serve distinct purposes, from helping you focus during work to winding down before bed. Adding these playlists to your Control Center is straightforward: swipe down to open Control Center, tap the Plus icon, select Add a Control, and choose your preferred Ambient Music categories. Once installed, a simple tap plays a random track from your selected playlist, with another tap turning it off when you're done.
Enhanced Photo Organization Tools
The Photos app receives welcome organizational improvements in iOS 18.4. The Library section now includes two additional filters: Shared With You, which displays images synced from Mac or PC devices, and Not in an Album, which helps you identify pictures that haven't been organized into collections. Both filters are automatically included in the Photos app's Filters menu. Users can now also disable the Recently Viewed and Recently Shared albums through the Photos section in Settings. Additionally, items in the Media Types and Utilities collections can now be reordered by tapping the Edit button at the top of the screen, providing greater customization of the Photos interface.
Surprise iOS 18.4.1 Update Coming Soon
According to recent reports, Apple is preparing to release iOS 18.4.1 next week. This minor update is likely focused on urgent bug fixes and security patches rather than new features. As is typical with point releases, there have been no developer or public betas for iOS 18.4.1. This update will serve as an interim release before iOS 18.5, which is currently in beta testing and expected to launch in May. So far, iOS 18.5 appears to include only minor changes to the Mail and Settings apps.
Potential Tariff Impact on Future iPhones
Looking further ahead, international trade policies could affect iPhone pricing, particularly for the iPhone 17 series. Current US tariffs on Chinese-supplied goods and parts stand at 54%, which could significantly impact production costs. With the base manufacturing cost of an iPhone estimated at around USD 580, these tariffs could push production costs to approximately USD 850, potentially forcing Apple to increase retail prices to maintain profit margins. While Apple has been exploring assembly options in countries like Brazil since 2011, these facilities currently lack the capacity to match China's production volumes. The company continues to evaluate manufacturing alternatives to mitigate tariff impacts.
Major iPhone Redesign for 20th Anniversary
As the iPhone approaches its 20th anniversary, Apple is reportedly planning a significant redesign of its flagship device. According to Bloomberg, this milestone refresh may include two new form factors: a foldable version and a bold new Pro model that makes more extensive use of glass. These innovations would represent the most substantial design changes to the iPhone in years, potentially setting new standards for smartphone design and functionality.
DIY Repair Options for iPhone 16e
In a move supporting right-to-repair initiatives, Apple has begun offering spare parts for the recently launched iPhone 16e. The available components include displays, batteries, cameras, back glass, speakers, and more. While users still need Apple's repair toolkit (available on loan for USD 49 for seven days), this expansion of DIY repair options gives iPhone 16e owners more flexibility in maintaining their devices. Apple has also published a comprehensive repair manual on its website to guide users through the process.
