Apple has released the seventh iteration of its iOS 18 beta to developers, which appears to be quite stable compared to the initial builds. There are now reports suggesting that this might be the last update before the official launch of the iPhone 16. Apple typically hosts its iPhone event in the first half of September, and with the days quickly approaching, it seems that the devices could be announced earlier than anticipated.
According to comments from Bloomberg analyst Mark Gurman on X, iOS 18 beta 7 could be the final build “other than features tied to the new hardware.” Gurman, known for his credibility and reliable sources, indicates that there is a possibility that iOS 18 might arrive sooner than expected. However, there are several factors that need to be considered before drawing any conclusions.
For instance, Gurman might be implying that iOS 18 beta 7 is the last update before the iPhone 16 is officially revealed. Alternatively, he could mean that the company will not introduce any additional features in future updates, making iOS 18 beta 7 the final update with significant changes before the new devices are announced. It’s important to note that Apple still needs to announce the Release Candidate build of iOS 18, which suggests that there might be another week or so before iOS 18 is fully released, assuming the information holds true.
Regardless of the upcoming release candidate build, Apple could still be planning to announce the iPhone 16 lineup earlier than usual. It’s safe to assume that the company will hold its iPhone 16 event in the first half of next month, possibly on September 10th, following the trend from previous years. It’s also likely that Apple will release one more beta of iOS 18 next week, similar to last year, before seeding the release candidate build. Therefore, it’s essential to take this news with a grain of salt.
By Andrej Kovacevic
Updated on 21st August 2024