Despite Apple pulling back new Siri features from the upcoming Apple Intelligence update for further testing, iOS 18.4 still brings several valuable AI-powered enhancements when it launches in April.

Priority Notifications: Smart alerts tailored to user needs

Apple first introduced Priority Notifications during its WWDC event in June 2024. This Apple Intelligence feature has been highly anticipated since iOS 18 debuted in September last year.

With Priority Notifications, Apple’s AI analyzes incoming alerts and highlights the most important ones based on context and timing. For instance, if a user places a food order, notifications about its arrival will take precedence over others. The same applies to any alert requiring immediate attention, such as time-sensitive reminders or urgent messages.

This feature is optional in the iOS 18.4 beta and can be enabled by navigating to Settings > Notifications > Priority Notifications.

Once activated, Priority Notifications will appear at the top of the lock screen in a separate section with a distinct icon. Users can still access all other notifications by swiping down.

Image Playground gets a new ‘Sketch’ style

When Image Playground first launched, it supported two visual styles: Animation (cartoon-style 3D graphics) and Illustration (simpler 3D-styled drawings). However, Apple always planned to introduce a third option.

With iOS 18.4 beta, a new Sketch style has been added. Unlike Animation’s playful 3D look or Illustration’s bold outlines and vibrant colors, Sketch features a highly detailed, monochrome artistic design reminiscent of hand-drawn sketches. Apple describes it as having an academic and refined aesthetic, producing elegant drawings on a simple background.

This addition expands Image Playground’s creative potential, giving users more variety in generating AI-powered artwork.

Apple Intelligence expands to more languages

iOS 18.4 enhances Apple Intelligence with support for additional languages, including French, German, Italian, Brazilian Portuguese, Spanish, Japanese, Korean, and Simplified Chinese. It also introduces localized English versions for Singapore and India.

This expansion broadens accessibility, allowing more users worldwide to experience Apple’s advanced AI features in their native language.

iOS 18.4 release timeline

Apple has already released the first iOS 18.4 beta for developers and public beta testers. The second beta is expected to roll out this week, with Apple conducting testing throughout March.

The official iOS 18.4 release is scheduled for early April.

Siri's Apple Intelligence upgrade: Delayed until iOS 18.5?

While there's a possibility that Apple Intelligence-powered Siri enhancements could appear in a later beta of iOS 18.4, this seems unlikely given that the update is only a month away from launch.

Instead, Apple may push these major Siri improvements to iOS 18.5. Typically, significant feature rollouts are rare in “.5” updates, as Apple shifts focus toward the next iOS version by then. However, it wouldn’t be unprecedented.

Apple has been rolling out iOS 18 features gradually and is expected to continue this strategy with iOS 19. According to leaks, Apple has even slowed down iOS 19’s development to refine and improve iOS 18 further.

Hai Phong