AI promises to increase productivity, spark creativity and even bring a little fun into your everyday life. Apple is the only brand that has this spirit in full harmony. Our iPhones are always in our pockets, and we hope that these sleek, glassy, little companions make our lives easier. iOS 18.3, the Cupertino giant’s latest step into the AI era, aims to fulfil that hope. It will enable Apple Intelligence on iPhones by default. iOS 18.3 released in 2025 is a hot topic amongst experts, as well as in the homes of everyday people. It features some important innovations and uninteresting improvements, but also raises concerns about security and privacy. Now let’s get started. Apple Intelligence Now Available by Default.
Apple Intelligence now available by default for compatible devices. (iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 16 Series, iPad Mini 7, M-Series Macs).
The users had to previously opt in, but they now have to disable the feature manually if they do not want to. It’s interesting to note that there are a lot of iPhone users out there who didn’t know about some of the features available via manual activation in iOS 18.2. They are now amazed at the two features that can be enabled immediately, which include the Siri-ChatGPT Integration and Writing Tools. Apple responded to privacy and security issues with a blanket statement: You can turn off Apple Intelligence under Settings. Apple has always been focused on privacy and safety, and their Software License Agreements and Policy address this issue.
Improved Visual Intelligence.
iOS 18 introduces new Visual Intelligence features for iPhone 16 models. Instant Event Detection allows users to add calendar events by simply scanning flyers or posters. This feature allows users to directly add events by extracting date and time data from an image. Visual Intelligence is now integrated with Enhanced Nature ID to allow your iPhone identify more plant and animal types. A tappable balloon appears in the viewfinder when viewing insects or animals. The Camera Control button is used to access these new features on iPhone 16 models. The user must press the Camera Control button and then hold it down to activate Visual Intelligence. They can then take a picture of an object or scene to be analyzed. While these features have been announced, users report that the functionality for plant and animal identification may not work as intended or be implemented fully.
ChatGPT and Siri Integration
The integration of ChatGPT into Siri is perhaps one of iOS 18.3’s most discussed features. The feature was already present in iOS 18.2, but users were excited to have it available as a default option on their device. In the OpenAI Developer Community some users reported problems with ChatGPT in iOS 18.3, which suggests that it might not have been consistently improved.
Writing Tools Improvements
When iOS 18.1 was launched in October of 2024, it featured the Writing Tools as its flagship feature. In an age where ChatGPT is the norm and AI is generating itself automatically, this became the most important part of the software. iOS 18.2 was released two months later and brought significant improvements, including a seamless integration of ChatGPT. Now, with iOS 18.3, Writing Tools is enabled by default, making headlines in households as users are introduced–sometimes unexpectedly–to the feature. The most significant improvement to iOS 18.3 is the fix it offers for developers who use the Writing Tools API.
The Controversy – Default AI Settings.
iOS 18.3’s release has been met with a mixture of security and privacy concerns as well as praise. Apple Intelligence is a feature powered by AI that automatically activates after the update. It collects and analyses data collected from different apps in order to improve user experience. This raises privacy concerns for some users. Apple stresses its commitment to user privacy with on-device computing and Private Cloud Compute. These are both designed to protect data. This update addressed 29 vulnerabilities including the critical zero-day vulnerability (CVE-2025-24085) in CoreMedia that allows malicious apps to access unauthorized data. This update also removed AI-generated summaries of news, which was welcomed by users who were concerned with the spread of AI generated misinformation. Apple provides the ability to disable Apple Intelligence from Settings. This will make the device AI-free. Apple’s AI Strategy: Looking Forward
The future of iOS
Apple is constantly improving and expanding its AI offering. iOS 18.3 marks a major milestone for the company. Apple’s commitment to push the limits of smartphone AI is evident with iOS 18.4, which will be released soon. Apple’s integration of AI in iOS heralds a new age for iPhone users. It offers enhanced creativity, productivity and experience. Apple is not immune to the concerns that surround the rapid growth of AI. Any business that develops or uses AI must deal with issues ranging from privacy concerns to environmental ones.
