Apple’s WWDC (Worldwide Developers Conference) is usually all about software, but this year we’re expecting it to be more specifically focused on AI, and Siri could be the star of the show.
As spotted by Phone Arena, Apple’s latest WWDC 2024 teaser is in similar colors to Apple’s digital assistant, with blue, purple, white, and pink all featuring heavily in both. So, while Apple hasn’t said what we’ll see at WWDC 2024, this is a good sign that Siri will take center stage.
This could – among other things – allow it to better understand complex, multi-part requests, and make Siri more versatile and conversational, in much the same way as you can have a conversation with ChatGPT.
Whatever Apple’s plans for Siri entail though, it could certainly use an upgrade. We recently put Siri up against Bixby and Gemini, and it was roundly beaten by Samsung’s Bixby assistant – which itself is generally seen as worse than Google Assistant.
AI might not be the answer
Interestingly though it did beat the AI-powered Gemini, so simply adding AI to Siri might not be what it needs, especially since leaks suggest Apple might use Gemini (or perhaps ChatGPT) for these AI capabilities, rather than building its own AI from the ground up.
Still, with a growing number of AI-powered rivals, Siri can’t afford to stand still, so we’re almost certain we will see some – probably AI-focused – upgrades to the assistant at WWDC 2024.
There’s not long to wait either, as WWDC 2024 kicks off on June 10, at 10am PT / 1pm ET / 6pm BST, or at 1am ACT on June 11 in Australia. As well as upgrades to Siri we’re expecting to see iOS 18, iPadOS 18, watchOS 11, and upgrades to most of Apple’s other software. There might be new hardware too, but don’t count on it.
The WWDC keynote will be streamed live online, so you’ll be able to tune in, or just head back to TechRadar for all the news and our expert analysis.
First up, leaker Setsuna Digital posting on Weibo (via Phone Arena) claims that the iPhone 16 Pro has 1.2mm bezels and the iPhone 16 Pro Max has 1.15mm bezels. For comparison, they claim that the iPhone 15 Pro has larger 1.71mm bezels, though they don’t list the bezel size on the iPhone 15 Pro Max.
The source claims to have actually measured the bezels of the upcoming phones themselves, so this could well be accurate, though as ever we’d take this with a pinch of salt, especially as this source has a mixed track record. They previously claimed for example that the iPhone 15 would be available in green (which it is) and that the iPhone 15 Pro would be available in red (which it isn’t).
Thinner than thin
Still, if this is accurate then it should make for impressively thin bezels, with the source appearing to say (via Google translate) that these bezels would be “the narrowest in the world.”
This claim has also been echoed by leaker @UniverseIce on X, who has a good track record and claims that their “friend confirmed” that the iPhone 16 Pro will surpass the Samsung Galaxy S24 to have the narrowest bezels of any phone.
The friend they’re referring to is very likely Setsuna Digital, but this at least means that a credible leaker is taking the claims seriously – though they point to the iPhone 16 Pro as having the slimmest bezels, while Setsuna Digital said the iPhone 16 Pro Max would.
My friend confirmed that iPhone 16 Pro will reduce bezel, surpassing Galaxy S24 to become the world's narrowest bezel mobile phone, which seems to be very close to the dream form.June 2, 2024
Does any of this matter when many of the best phones already have tiny bezels? Probably not massively, but it could allow Apple to increase the screen sizes (as it’s rumored to be doing) without increasing the overall footprint of the phones too much. And it’s sure to help make the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max look even more premium than their predecessors.
Whether this will happen remains to be seen though, and we probably won’t find out for sure until September, as that’s when these phones are likely to launch. Stay tuned to TechRadar in the meantime though, for all the credible news, leaks, and rumors.
Apple opened up the iOS App Store to game console emulators back in April, and since then we've seen numerous apps of this type launched – and the latest one brings Nintendo 3DS emulation to the iPhone for the first time.
The app is Folium (via Android Authority), although you're going to have to part with some cash to get it: the emulation app, which also supports Game Boy Advance and Nintendo DS games, will set you back $4.99 / £4.99 / AU$7.99.
If you've been longing to play Nintendo 3DS titles on your iPhone, now's your chance – though note that this social media post and video suggests there's still work to be done in terms of game optimization and customization.
Folium has been in testing for a while now, and the developer is promising plenty of updates to come. Based on this Reddit thread, if you're wanting to use the Nintendo 3DS emulation, you need a fairly powerful iPhone or iPad to get the best results – though that might change as the app is improved and optimized.
The rise of iPhone emulators
One of the consoles Folium emulates is the Nintendo 3DS (Image credit: Folium)
Under pressure from regulators, Apple has now allowed third-party app stores on iOS in the EU – and opening the door to emulators on the official iOS App Store (not just in the EU but globally) is a move Apple seems to have made to ensure those third-party alternatives aren't quite as appealing.
Emulators are tricky from a legal perspective, as technically you're breaking the law if you download and play a retro game you haven't paid for. Apple says the emulator developers are responsible for making sure their apps comply with "all applicable laws".
For now, it seems to be something Nintendo, Sony, and other console makers are prepared to tolerate. Since April, we've seen numerous emulators appear on iOS, including the Gamma app that runs Sony PS1 games.
While one Game Boy emulator has been kicked off the App Store, that was down to it ripping off another app, rather than anything it did in terms of emulation. As time goes on, we can expect more of these apps to make their way to iOS.
Please note the use of emulators may be in violation of the game developer and publisher terms and conditions as well as applicable intellectual property laws. These will vary so please check these. Emulators should only ever be used with your own purchased game copy. TechRadar does not condone or encourage the illegal downloading of games or actions infringing copyright.
Every year Apple hands out Design Awards to the apps and games that it thinks really stand out (the 2023 winners are here): it's a prestigious accolade, and the shortlist for the 2024 batch of awards has now been announced.
The full list (via Neowin) is split into seven categories, covering Delight and Fun, Inclusivity, Innovation, Interaction, Social Impact, Visuals and Graphics, and Spatial Computing. The winners are set to be named at WWDC 2024, which gets underway on June 10.
For Inclusivity we have Oko to help pedestrians, Complete Anatomy 2024 to reveal the wonders of the human body, and Tiimo, a calendar app for neurodivergent people. In this category the games are the meditative Unpacking, the puzzler Quadline, and the brilliantly colorful Crayola Adventures.
Heading into the Innovation category, the apps list features Copilot for helping you with your finances, SmartGym for helping you with your fitness, and Procreate Dreams for digital art. Games-wise, there's the actioner Call of Duty: Warzone, the graphic novel-esque Lost in Play, and the board game adaptation Wavelength.
For Visuals and Graphics, the finalists are Sunlitt for tracking the sun, Meditate for tracking your meditations, and Rooms again. The games shortlisted for this category are Death Stranding Director's Cut – which looks fantastic, even on mobile – then the imaginative and immersive Lies of P and turn-based combat game Honkai: Star Rail.
The final category (with a nod to the Apple Vision Pro) is Spatial Computing. Here we've got the apps Sky Guide (for stargazing), NBA (for basketball), and Djay (for music making). The games shortlisted here are "effervescent rhythm game" Synth Riders, and the peaceful puzzlers Blackbox and Loóna.
We haven't been able to test out all these apps and games, but they all seem to be of a very high quality – as you would expect, if they've been shortlisted by Apple. Maybe give some of them a try while we wait for WWDC 2024 to roll round next month.
iOS 18 is expected to bring several new AI features to iPhones when it lands at WWDC 2024 next month, but rumors have also hinted at an important detail – exactly which iPhones might and might not get these new tricks.
Bloomberg's Mark Gurman suggested in his latest Power On newsletter that iOS 18's new AI features – which could include a more natural Siri and voice memo transcriptions – may be restricted to the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max, plus the new iPhone 16 and 16 Pro series.
Referring to the new AI features, Gurman stated that "most of the on-device features will be supported by iPhone, iPad and Mac chips released in the last year or so." For the iPhone, that would mean the A17 Pro, which landed in September 2023, but probably excludes the A16 Bionic, which arrived in September 2022.
Of course, these rumors only refer to AI features that are processed on-device. We also expect cloud-based AI features, as Apple is rumored to have sealed a partnership with OpenAI. Cloud-based features could presumably be available to any iPhone capable of running iOS 18. That would be ideal, since iOS 18 is now expected to support the same models as iOS 17.
For on-device AI features, there will likely be a cut-off for software support – and these latest rumors suggest that even recent models like the iPhone 15 or iPhone 14 Pro could see some restrictions on the iOS 18 features they can fully support.
That is likely because the A17 Pro chipset in the iPhone 15 Pro made a significant jump in the number of operations it could manage per second (twice as many as the A16 Bionic). We've also heard rumors that the iPhone 16 series could get a significantly upgraded neural engine. A neural processing unit (NPU) powers on-device AI and machine learning tasks, though it's possible that the rumored A18 Pro chipset could be restricted to an iPhone 16 Pro series.
In any case, it sounds like AI features will be Apple's next big reason to get us to upgrade our iPhones – though fortunately, the rumored features don't sound so dazzling that you'll be lured into a premature upgrade...
Opinion: AI unlikely to be a reason to upgrade
(Image credit: Apple)
I'm planning to upgrade to an iPhone 16 Pro this year, but not because of AI features – instead, it's down to the latest camera rumors and the fact that I skipped the iPhone 15 Pro last year to wait for a more refined version of Apple's optical zoom on a smaller phone than a Pro Max.
So far, I'm not hugely excited about iOS 18's rumored AI features. Apple's focus is likely to be on-device AI, and that is by definition far more limited than cloud-based AI, which OpenAI is rumored to be supplying in part.
Those rumored on-device features include minor quality-of-life upgrades, including Safari improvements, some Photos retouching tools and AI-generated emojis. I don't know about you, but I could probably live without AI emojis for a few years.
Of course, Apple could yet come out with a barnstorming new AI feature in iOS 18, but I'm dubious. Mark Gurman's newsletter has suggested that iOS 18's new AI tricks may come with "preview" labels to indicate that "the technology isn't yet fully baked".
From the rumors so far, it sounds like AI features will take at least another year to fully develop and become upgrade-worthy temptations like Apple's camera hardware has been in recent years. That said, it could still be a good year to upgrade your iPhone, with Apple likely to lay the hardware foundations in the iPhone 16 series for future AI features.
I'll be happy to future-proof my iOS garden with an iPhone 16 Pro in September, but the reason will be camera hardware rather than new AI tricks.
We've been hearing rumors for months about how iOS 18 will be a major upgrade – perhaps one of the biggest in its history – and a new report adds some more details about what we should expect when the software is officially unveiled next month.
These details come courtesy of Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, usually one of the most reliable reporters when it comes to accurately predicting Apple's future plans, and leaking its software and hardware announcements ahead of time.
In his latest Power On newsletter, Gurman outlines some of the AI-infused upgrades rumored to be heading to iOS 18 (and macOS 15 in some cases). Here's what we think might be coming, based on his latest update.
1. Voice memo transcribing
Using AI to turn voice memos into text is common practice these days – the Google Pixel Recorder app does it, for example – and this is apparently one of the features heading to iOS 18. It could well be built right into the Voice Memos app that's included with iOS.
According to Gurman, searches across iOS 18 and macOS 15 will become "faster and more reliable" thanks to AI. As previously rumored, we might see search results from more apps, and improved support for natural language queries when you're looking for something.
4. Automatic replies
It sounds as though you'll soon be able to generate smart AI responses in the Apple Mail and Apple Messages apps, if you want to hand over writing duties. These will be suggestions though: you'll still be able to review and edit them before sending.
5. Safari improvements
Safari is in line for a pretty hefty upgrade this year. Gurman follows up on earlier leaks to say Safari will get an improved web search with the help of AI – this should mean more relevant results, alongside the ability to get quick summaries of the websites you visit.
6. A more natural Siri
As previously reported, Siri is going to get easier to talk to, as well as coming up with better responses – more like a person and less like a bot. Siri will offer more "natural-sounding interactions based on Apple's own large language models" according to Gurman's article.
7. AI-generated emojis
One AI-related feature mentioned in Gurman's report that we haven't heard about before is an AI emoji machine. Apparently this will bring up custom emojis instantly, based on what you're typing – so you'll never be stuck looking for an emoji to match your message.
8. Smart summaries
Expect smart summaries to be everywhere in iOS 18: Emails, webpages, messages, and more. This is something that has leaked before, and which may well cover notifications too. If it works like it sounds like it will, the feature should save you a lot of reading time.
9. Home screen customizations
This isn't strictly speaking AI related, but following up on what he's said previously, Gurman states that iOS 18 home screen app shortcuts can be arranged any way you like – not just in a grid – and that their colors can be changed to match a particular theme.
We'll hear a lot more at WWDC 2024 (Image credit: Apple)
Gurman's new report also sheds some light on Apple's rumored partnership with OpenAI, the developer of ChatGPT and Dall-E. Apparently, Apple's own AI models – both stored on the iPhone and in the cloud – will be used to handle the core AI tasks listed above, but they won't extend to powering a fully fledged AI chatbot.
For that, Gurman says, Apple will partner with OpenAI to give users the option of ChatGPT on the iPhone. It's not clear how this will differ from simply using the ChatGPT app for iOS, but deeper integration with the iPhone software is presumably on the way. The partnership will be announced at WWDC 2024 on June 10, Gurman says, alongside all these new features for iOS and macOS.
However, Apple doesn't want to rely on OpenAI exclusively, according to Gurman – so talks are still ongoing to offer Google Gemini as an AI chatbot option too. That won't be talked about at the WWDC 2024 event in June though. Other chatbots could also be added further down the line.
This new report also states that Apple will emphasize the privacy of its AI tools – both on-device and in the cloud – compared to those offered by the likes of Google and Meta. Finally, Gurman mentions that the AI features in iOS 18 might come with a 'preview' label attached, to indicate they're still in development.
Apple has been making big strides in the camera specs of its phones lately – and with the iPhone 16 Pro Max it looks like might see another major step up, with two of the phone’s sensors reportedly getting an upgrade.
According to the leaker OvO Baby Sauce OvO on Weibo (via MacRumors), who has a relatively limited track record so far, the iPhone 16 Pro Max will have a new Sony IMX903 sensor in place of the IMX803 used by the iPhone 15 Pro Max. This new sensor would still be 48MP but should lead to photographic improvements.
The phone could be taking an even bigger leap with its ultra-wide camera though, which will reportedly be 48MP this year, up from 12MP on the current model.
Sadly, the 12MP 5x optical zoom won’t be getting any upgrades according to this source, but improvements for two out of the three rear cameras is good going in any case.
Two upgrades for the Pro as well
(Image credit: Samsung / Apple / Future)
The same source also mentions the iPhone 16 Pro, saying that this will also get a 48MP ultra-wide camera, and that its telephoto snapper will be upgraded to match the 5x zoom already found on the iPhone 15 Pro Max. However, its main camera apparently won’t be upgraded. So that’s two of the three sensors being improved here too.
While we’d take this leak with a pinch of salt, this isn’t the first time we’ve heard that both iPhone 16 Pro models will get a 48MP ultra-wide camera, and nor is it the first mention of an improved main sensor for the iPhone 16 Pro Max. So this could well be accurate.
The only conflicting information we have is talk of a new ‘super telephoto’ camera for the iPhone 16 Pro Max. However, most leaks mentioning this are older, and are more likely referring to the long-rumored iPhone Ultra, which probably won’t land this year. So for now, we’d say the leaks above are looking more likely.
We should find out exactly what the iPhone 16 line’s camera specs are in September, as that’s when these two phones along with the base iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus are expected to land.
You might also like
iPhone 16 Pro Max: latest news, rumors and everything we know so far
Best iPhone: which Apple smartphone reigns supreme?
Rumors surrounding the iPhone SE 4 have been swirling for some time, but until now we hadn't heard anything about its potential price. Thankfully, the latest iPhone SE 4 tip does finally give us an insight how much this supposedly budget phone might cost, but the numbers aren't so promising.
According to reliable leaker @Revegnus1, whose X account was deleted shortly after sharing this leak, the iPhone SE 4 will either cost the same price as the iPhone SE (2022) in the US (meaning it would start at $429), or rise by around 10%. In the latter case, Apple still apparently won’t charge more than $499.
That isn’t terrible news – and if the phone's price stays the same, that’s actively good news, especially as it’s replacing a model that’s now over two years old.
Unfortunately, though, it seems Apple may opt for higher regional pricing; @Revegnus1 notes that the iPhone SE 4's price will go up by around 15% in Europe and other countries, regardless of whether the price increases in the US or not. That would translate to a starting price of roughly £500 / AU$820 (up from the £419 / AU$719 starting price of the current model).
An acceptable increase
The iPhone SE (2022) launched for $429 / £419 / AU$719 (Image credit: TechRadar)
Price increases are never desirable, but in truth, these figures don’t sound too unreasonable – aside from the fact that Apple is apparently taking an America-first approach to pricing.
10-15% isn’t a massive rumored price increase, and given that we’ll probably be at least three years on from the iPhone SE (2022) by the time we see the iPhone SE 4, it comes as no real surprise that the price might rise, what with inflation.
Plus, rumors suggest that the iPhone SE 4 might actually be a major upgrade on the current model too, with a new design that gets rid of the home button and massive bezels in favor of a notch and Face ID.
We’ve also heard that the iPhone SE 4 could have an Action button, a larger screen, and potentially an OLED display rather than an LCD one. It’s also sure to be powerful based on past form, though it’s unclear exactly what chipset it will use.
So, you could be getting a lot of phone for your money with the iPhone SE 4, and those rumored prices would still put the device in line with the likes of the Google Pixel 8a, which seems reasonable enough.
In any case, we might not find out the confirmed price or specs of the iPhone SE 4 for quite a while yet, with most leaks suggesting that we won’t see the phone before 2025 at the earliest.
You might also like
iPhone 16: release date speculation, latest leaks, price predictions and more
Best iPhone: which Apple smartphone reigns supreme?
If you've been thinking about buying an iPhone 15, Apple just gave you a gentle nudge towards taking the plunge by boosting its maximum Trade In prices for old handsets – but only until June 3.
Apple Trade In is the most simple, if not the most financially rewarding, way to swap your old iPhone for a new one and get a little money off your new purchase. And from today until June 3, Apple has slightly increased the credit it's offering for old models from the iPhone 11 onwards.
As you can see in the table below, the credit boosts during this period are small – ranging from $10 extra for the likes of the iPhone SE (3rd gen) to a more generous $30 extra for the iPhone 13 mini. Then again, with the future of the iPhone mini up in the air, it might be wise to hold onto that model if you like the form factor.
The prices below are also only an "estimated trade-in value", with the actual amount dependent on the condition of your handset. To find out the exact amount that your phone is worth, head to the official Apple Trade In page and answer the questions on its storage, serial number and more.
Once your trade is confirmed, you'll be able to either mail in your old phone or drop it off at an Apple Store. Apple will either refurbish your old phone and sell it onto a new owner, or recycle it if it's in bad shape.
A recent Bloomberg report revealed that Apple's recycling process has had historical issues, but Apple claims that it's recycling is much-improved since those lawsuits in 2020 and that "we're pioneering innovative new ways to recover the valuable materials inside", according to a spokesperson.
Still, either way, you'll likely get more money for your old iPhone by checking comparison sites (like ItsWorthMore), retailers or going for a private sale on the likes of eBay...
Should you use Apple Trade In?
(Image credit: Future)
While they're only minor, these price boosts for Apple Trade In are welcome as its credit offerings typically lag behind the prices you can get for your old iPhone elsewhere.
For example, an unlocked iPhone 13 in good condition with its original box can fetch around $350 on the likes of ItsWorthMore or Swappa, which is more than the $320 that Apple is offering until June 3 with its boosted Trade In values.
Of course, the benefit of going with Apple is convenience – if you're planning to buy a new iPhone, then being able to trade in your old one at the same time can save you some time and hassle.
Also, despite that recent behind-the-scenes report from Bloomberg about the problems that Apple's encountered with e-waste and recycling contractors, the company is still one of the more transparent ways to recycle your old iPhone if it's not in condition for a resale.
For some, then, these boosted Apple Trade In prices could be worth taking advantage of over the next week, but only if you're not holding out for an iPhone 16 (which will likely land in September).
If you’re already thinking about what color you might like the iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, or iPhone 16 Pro Max in, you can now narrow down the options, as a credible leak has seemingly revealed all the likely shades.
This latest tip comes from Ming-Chi Kuo, an analyst with a great track record for Apple information, via MacRumors, with the former claiming on X that the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max will be sold in black, white (or possibly silver), rose, and gray (which Kuo believes will be marketed as ‘Natural Titanium’).
That information aligns with a previous iPhone 16 Pro colors leak, which pointed to Space Black, white, rose, and gray shades. Since these two leaks line up, and since the latest tip comes from a reputable source, we’d say there’s a good chance these are the iPhone 16 colors we’ll see come September.
2H24 iPhone 16系列機殼顏色預測iPhone 16 Pro & Pro Max：黑色、白色 (或銀色)、灰色 (應該是原色鈦金屬)、玫瑰iPhone 16 & 16 Plus：黑色、綠色、粉紅、藍色、白色 Apple可能對顏色會有不同的稱呼 (如先前稱呼白色為星光色)。此外，即便顏色名稱與既有機種相同，但看起來可能會不一樣。 --…May 19, 2024
See more
For reference, the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max are sold in Natural Titanium, Blue Titanium, Black Titanium, and White Titanium. So, if the leaks above are right, then the blue option will be replaced with a rose shade. Otherwise, though, the colors should be similar.
White replaces yellow
As for the standard iPhone 16 and the iPhone 16 Plus, Kuo says these devices will come in black, green, pink, blue, and white shades. We’re slightly less certain of this prediction, mind, because a previous iPhone 16 colors leak pointed to these phones coming in pink, yellow, blue, green, black, white, and purple shades.
However, we were always a bit skeptical of the latter leak, because it’s more colors than Apple usually offers, and the tip itself doesn't come from a source with much of a track record. It does overlap with Kuo’s claims, but the source additionally mentions yellow and purple.
The current iPhone 15 colors include pink, yellow, blue, green, and black, so if Kuo’s information is correct, then yellow will be replaced with white this year.
Kuo notes though that while the remaining options might be similar to the currently-available iPhone 15 colors, the exact shades may differ (for instance, the pink could be darker or lighter this year). The names Apple gives to the colors might also differ.
We’d take all of the above with a pinch of salt for now, since it’s still months until the expected September launch of the iPhone 16 series. That said, this is the most credible iPhone 16 colors leak yet, so there’s a high chance it’s accurate.
Android users have been busy making use of Circle to Search since it debuted on the Samsung Galaxy S24 and Google Pixel 8 in January – and it appears that iPhone owners may be able to make use of the AI-powered feature themselves in the near future.
As spotted by The Mac Observer, a new "Lens Circle to Search" flag has been quietly added to Google Chrome for iOS. Google Lens is the technology that underpins Google to Search, enabling users to run a search based on any text or images on screen.
It therefore looks as though the ability to circle (or squiggle over) anything on screen to run a Google search will soon be available in Chrome for iOS – though it's not clear when. It's not quite the same system-wide integration as on Android, but it's something.
You can already use Circle to Search on an iPhone, sort of: it's basically a custom shortcut to Google Lens. There's no circling involved, but it works in any app via a screenshot, and does well enough at searching the web with visual information.
Keep on circling
Circle to Search is reaching more and more devices (Image credit: Google)
If you're completely new to Circle to Search, it makes searching for anything on screen – like a plant species, a car model, or a book quote – faster and easier than ever. You can then tweak and expand the search as needed through Google Lens.
We're unlikely to ever see full Circle to Search integration for iOS, because third-party apps aren't allowed the high-level access that would be required. It's more likely that Apple will roll out something similar itself.
That may happen at its WWDC 2024 event starting on June 10, where we're expecting an avalanche of AI-related software announcements – so very much along the lines of the Google I/O 2024 event that ran earlier this week.
