The upcoming week promises a flurry of activity for Apple enthusiasts with the launch of the new Powerbeats and iPhone SE 4. Adding to the excitement, iOS 18.4 Beta 1 is also anticipated, potentially arriving as early as mid-next week, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. While a slight delay to the following week remains possible, the release is highly likely before February’s end.
This beta version is rumored to bring significant advancements to Apple Intelligence and Siri. A key focus appears to be enhancing Siri’s contextual awareness, allowing it to understand on-screen content and personalize interactions based on user context. This upgrade could be a game-changer for Siri, closing the gap with competitors like Google Assistant and Alexa, ultimately benefiting Apple users.
I expect iOS 18.4 beta 1 to be released between the middle of next week and early the following week. So it’s coming fairly soon.
— Mark Gurman (@markgurman) February 7, 2025
Further anticipated features include new emoji characters and the expansion of Apple Intelligence to new languages and regions. This aligns with Apple’s previously announced plans for a broader global rollout of Apple Intelligence in April, suggesting that iOS 18.4 Beta 1 serves as a testing ground for this expansion.
While Mark Gurman boasts a reliable track record with Apple predictions, additional factors support his claim. Apple typically releases beta versions shortly after software updates, and given the January 27th release of iOS 18.3, a mid-week release of iOS 18.4 Beta 1 would be consistent with this pattern.
Another possible motivator is Amazon’s upcoming February 26th event, where an AI-powered Alexa is expected to be showcased. Apple might be aiming to preemptively launch an enhanced Siri before Amazon unveils its advancements in the AI assistant arena.
This anticipated release holds considerable promise, potentially revolutionizing Siri’s capabilities and solidifying its position in the competitive landscape of AI assistants. The expansion of Apple Intelligence to a wider audience further underscores Apple’s commitment to innovation and global accessibility.
