New iOS 17 features, release date, supported devices
Apple releases one major iOS update every year, and it’s safe to assume that iOS 17 will be released during WWDC 2023, which is scheduled for June 5-9. While the announcement of iOS 16 was well-received and excited every iPhone fanatic, the final public release dampened enthusiasm with a plethora of bugs and glitches.
Now, the release of iOS 17 is approaching, but we have yet to receive an official word from Apple about the features it will bring. That said, here’s everything we can expect from Apple with the iOS 17 update.
iOS 17 announcement date and release date
Since the launch of the first iPhone, Apple has released one major iOS update every year. An update has been announced and its features are being demonstrated during the Worldwide Developers Conference. After that, beta versions of the software become available within a few weeks.
Apple recently announced the date for WWDC 2023 and we can expect iOS 17 to launch anytime between June 5th and 9th. As mentioned, iOS 17 betas will be available shortly after the announcement.
However, the public rollout of iOS 17 is expected in September 2023 along with the long-awaited iPhone 15 series. Again, these are speculations based on a decade of history of these events.
List of supported iOS 17 devices
Before we get into all of the upcoming iOS 17 features, let’s take a look at the devices that will receive the iOS 17 update. Usually, Apple provides software updates for iPhones for up to five years. This number can be extended up to six years in rare cases where the hardware can handle a software update.
At the time of this writing, one cannot be one hundred percent sure which iPhones will receive the iOS 17 update. We can hypothesize based on the history of iOS updates, and here is a list of all the devices we expect to be compatible with iOS 17:
- iphone 15 series
- iphone 14 series
- iPhone SE 2022 (3rd generation)
- iphone 13 series
- iphone 12 series
- iPhone SE 2020 (2nd generation)
- iphone 11 series
- iPhone XR, XS and XS Max
The iPhone 8, 8 Plus, and X were released in 2017 and they got iOS 16, which should probably be their last major iOS update considering these devices are now five years old. However, there is a chance that these devices will receive the iOS 17 update if Apple deems the hardware on these devices to be powerful enough.
However, if I was using an iPhone 8, 8 Plus, or X user, I wouldn’t have high hopes and upgrade to the iPhone 15 series instead, which would indeed be a significant upgrade from my six year old. device.
New features and expectations for iOS 17
Apple is rapidly moving from completely ignoring what customers asked for to finally responding to customer requests by bringing users the most requested features. We saw it in the iOS 16 update filled with more lock screen tweaks and widget support.
What’s more, Apple also introduced the much-requested Always on Display feature with the iPhone 14 lineup (albeit exclusive to the Pro series) and updated it with the iOS 16.2 update, offering users more control over how they want to customize their AOD screens.
Considering that Apple has not only listened to its consumers, but also responded to them by making the required features available and improvising with existing ones, that’s all we expect from the iOS 17 update.
1. Call recording
Users have been requesting built-in support for iPhone call recording for several years. And we hope that Apple will make this feature available in iOS 17 given its demand. Also, while there are ways to record iPhone calls using third-party apps and services, who wouldn’t want this feature built into the software?
2. Added lock screen widgets
Customizing the lock screen was an important part of the iOS 16 update. Right now, users can add up to four small widgets or two large widgets to the lock screen. There is plenty of space on the lock screen that Apple can put to better use. And we expect Apple to allow users to add more widgets to their lock screen.
3. Interactive Widgets
The main purpose of widgets is to make information available at a glance. They also eliminate the need to launch the app every time you want to check something basic.
But what if these widgets were more interactive? What if you could check the weather in four different locations by simply swiping on the Weather widget, or by logging into the drug system right from the lock screen?
Sounds like a time saver, right? And that’s why we expect Apple to introduce interactive widgets.
4. Split screen
The split screen feature allows you to use two separate applications at the same time. This feature is already available on iPad (Split View) and Mac, but hasn’t arrived on iPhone yet. Now, it can be argued that the iPhone screen is not as big as the iPad, so this feature is not possible for the iPhone.
While it’s true that iPhone users won’t be able to make the most of this feature on their 6.7-inch screens, there must be a better reason for not providing the feature. In addition, several Android smartphone manufacturers have integrated this feature.
5. Double applications
Some apps allow users to use multiple accounts and switch between them within the same app. For example, you can have multiple Instagram accounts and switch between them by double-tapping the profile icon.
However, many apps only allow users to have one active account per app. For example, whatsapp. And that’s when the ability to clone applications and use different accounts in different versions of the same application comes in handy. Apple join the party? We’ll have to wait and see.
6. Third party app store
Let’s say you follow the latest developments and leaks in the Apple ecosystem. In that case, I’m sure you’ve heard the news about Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman claiming that Apple will allow users to install apps from third-party app stores. Also, since this news is the result of Apple trying to comply with EU laws, the chances of third-party app stores are pretty high.
7. Improved notifications
Apple has tried to improve notifications in iOS 16. Users now have the option to display notifications in Count, Stack, or List formats. However, there is still a long way to go, and Apple needs to really improve the way it accesses and manages notifications on the lock screen or in the Action Center.
8. Update iMessage
According to a Twitter source, Apple will be updating iMessage with iOS 17. The new version will feature an improved iMessage home screen, new AR chat features (most likely built for Apple’s upcoming AR headset), chats, stickers, and more. If rumors are to be believed, this update will be a major redesign of iMessage.
According to my resource, Apple is working on a new version of iMessage completely renewed. New home, chat rooms, video clips, and new chat features in AR. It should be released next year along with the new headset #Apple #AppleAR #iMessage pic.twitter.com/Wp2WT8apNX
What are your expectations for iOS 17?
iOS is missing some important features in the Phone app, such as T9 dialing/smart dialing, the updated Recents tab in the Phone app, etc. There are a few other areas where iOS needs improvement. Please let us know what features Apple should implement in the next iOS update in the comments below.
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