iOS 17 new features will be previewed at the Worldwide Developers Conference in June 2023. After WWDC, iOS 17 will be made available to developers for testing purposes, with a public beta likely to come out sometime in July. Following the beta testing period, iOS 17 will see a launch in September 2023 alongside new iPhones.
Every year, Apple publishes one significant iOS upgrade, and it is safe to expect that iOS 17 will be released in 2023. Every iPhone enthusiast was thrilled when iOS 16 was announced at WWDC22, but the final public release’s numerous flaws and glitches dampened the excitement.
We have not yet received an official announcement from Apple regarding the release date or the features of iOS 17, which is still some time away. Here is a look at what Apple has planned for the iOS 17 update.
Dates for the announcement and release of iOS 17
Apple has issued one significant iOS upgrade annually since the introduction of the first iPhone. The Worldwide Developers Conference provides a presentation of the features and the upgrade. After that, the beta versions of the programme are released within a few weeks. We may anticipate Apple will launch iOS 17 at WWDC in June 2023 given the company’s history of hosting the conference in June.
As previously announced, iOS 17 beta releases will be accessible soon following the announcement. The general release of iOS 17 is anticipated for September 2023, along with the eagerly anticipated iPhone 15 series. Again, based on the ten-year history of these incidents, this is only conjecture.
supported devices for iOS 17
Let’s look at the devices that will receive the iOS 17 upgrade before we go over all the additions that are anticipated for iOS 17. For up to five years, Apple typically offers software updates for iPhones. In rare instances where the hardware can support the software update, this period can be extended to six years.
Which iPhones will receive the iOS 17 upgrade is still unknown as of the time this article was written. Based on past iOS releases, we can make some educated guesses, and the following is a list of every device we anticipate will be iOS 17 compatible:
- 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 MaxÂ
Given that the iPhone 8, 8 Plus, and X are already five years old, iOS 16—which was launched in 2017—should have been the last significant iOS upgrade for these models. However, if Apple determines that the hardware on these smartphones is powerful enough, there is a chance that these devices will get the iOS 17 upgrade.
However, if I were an iPhone 8, 8 Plus, or X user, I wouldn’t hold out much hope and instead would switch to the iPhone 15 series, which would feel like a significant improvement over my six-year-old smartphone.
iOS 17 new features and what to anticipate
Apple is quickly changing from being completely unaware of what the customers wanted to finally giving people the most requested features. This was demonstrated with the iOS 16 release, which added a sizable amount of widget support options and lock screen customization.
Furthermore, Apple redesigned the coveted Always on Display with the iOS 16.2 update, giving consumers more freedom over how they wanted to customize their AOD panels. The AOD was formerly reserved to the Pro series but was introduced with the iPhone 14 lineup.
Here is everything we anticipate from the iOS 17 upgrade, keeping in mind that Apple has not only been listening to its customers, but also acting upon their feedback by implementing the requested features and improving upon the ones that already exist.
1. Call recording
For many years, users have asked for the iPhone to feature native call recording. And considering the demand for this feature, we hope Apple includes it in iOS 17. While it is possible to record calls on the iPhone using third-party programmes and services, who wouldn’t value having the capability integrated right into the programme?
2. Added Lock Screen widgets
Customizing the Lock Screen was a big element of the iOS 16 upgrade.
Users can currently add two large widgets or up to four mini widgets to the Lock Screen.
Apple has plenty of room on the Lock Screen that they might use more effectively.
Additionally, we anticipate Apple to enable the addition of more widgets to the Lock Screen.
3. Interactive widgets
Widgets’ main objective is to provide information that may be quickly accessed. They also do away with the requirement to open an application each time you wish to do a simple check.
But suppose these widgets had more interactive features. What if you could enter in meds directly from the Lock Screen or check the weather in four different places by simply swiping the Weather widget?
Sounds like it would save time. And for that reason, we anticipate Apple to introduce interactive widgets.
4. Split Screen
You can run two different applications simultaneously thanks to the split screen capability. Split View is already a part of this functionality on the iPad and Mac, but it hasn’t arrived on the iPhone yet. Now, one would counter that because the iPhone’s screen is smaller than the iPad’s, the feature is not practical for the iPhone.
Even though the 6.7-inch screens of iPhones make it difficult for people to utilise this feature to its full potential, there must be a more compelling justification for not including it. Many Android smartphone makers have also included this capability.
5. Dual Apps
Users can utilise and switch between several accounts on a number of applications. For instance, you can switch between different Instagram accounts by double tapping the profile button.
However, a lot of apps only let users have one active account at a time. Consider WhatsApp. The ability to duplicate apps and use various accounts on successive iterations of the same app would be useful at that point. Will Apple attend the event? We will need to wait and see.
6. Third-Party App Store
Imagine you follow the most recent developments and leaks in the Apple ecosystem. In that case, you’ve probably heard of Mark Gurman of Bloomberg’s claims that Apple will permit customers to install applications from outside app stores. Additionally, the likelihood of independent App Stores is quite strong given that this announcement is the consequence of Apple’s efforts to comply with EU laws.
7. Improved Notifications
With iOS 16, Apple made an effort to enhance notifications. Users can now choose to view notifications as a Count, Stack, or List. Apple needs to significantly enhance how notifications are accessed and managed on the Lock Screen or the Notification Center, but there is still a long way to go.
8. iMessage revamp
Apple will redesign iMessage with iOS 17, claims a leaker on Twitter. The updated app will have a better iMessage Home Screen, new augmented reality chat features (likely created for Apple’s future augmented reality headset), chat rooms, stickers, and more. According to the rumours, this update will significantly redesign iMessage’s interface.
What are your expectations from iOS 17?
Numerous crucial functionality, like as T9 dialling and predictive dialling, a new Recents tab in the Phone app, etc., are missing from iOS’s Phone app. There are a number of additional areas where iOS needs to develop. Comment below and let us know the features you think Apple should include in the upcoming iOS version.
