iOS 18.3 RC Revealed: Exploring New Hidden Features, Changes, and Updates [Videos]

Apple has released the candidate version of iOS 18.3 today, shortly after the release of the third developer beta last Thursday. According to the release notes, this update introduces enhancements to visual intelligence, alongside the usual improvements, bug fixes, and security updates.

However, there’s more to the iOS 18.3 release candidate than what is immediately apparent. Behind the scenes, there are indications of upcoming Siri updates in iOS 18.4, future modifications to screen recording and streaming, plus new animations for Shortcuts and Messages. Check out our hands-on video for a closer look at the new features in iOS 18.3, and remember to subscribe to our YouTube channel for similar content.

What’s New in iOS 18.3 Release Candidate

The iOS 18.3 RC has a build number of 22D60 and was made available to developers and public beta testers on January 21, 2025.

While iOS 18.3 may not offer as many new features as its predecessors, such as iOS 18.1 and 18.2, this is typically expected for .3 versions. Nonetheless, there are several underlying changes and a variety of user-facing updates in this release.

Visual Intelligence

A new capability for iPhone 16 owners allows adding events to the Calendar directly from a poster or flyer, as well as identifying plants and animals with ease. I tested both features, and they functioned well.

The most notable “feature” introduced in iOS 18.3 was the revamped Notification Summaries revealed last week. Apple has clearly marked this feature as a beta version and, to mitigate the risk of AI inaccuracies, has disabled summaries for the News & Entertainment app category entirely. Although this is a significant measure, it’s essential considering the misleading headlines that emerged from prominent news sources, like BBC News and The New York Times. For further information, watch our comprehensive review on iOS 18.3 beta 3:

Calculator Repeats the Last Mathematical Operation

This feature has been seen in earlier iOS 18.3 betas but is likely to be popular once the public version of iOS 18.3 launches. Similar to previous iOS versions before 18, you can now continually press the equals sign to repeat mathematical calculations.

New Zoom Transition in Shortcuts Also in Development for Messages

iOS 18.3 hints at new transition animations for both the Shortcuts and Messages apps. For a practical demonstration of the new Zoom animation, check out the video embedded above. It may be a minor change, but it enhances the user experience.

Hints of Apple Intelligence in Shortcuts

Currently, Apple Intelligence hasn’t been integrated with Shortcuts, but indications from new code strings in iOS 18.3 suggest that Apple is working towards this integration.

Upcoming Screen Recording and Streaming Features

Though it’s not yet available in iOS 18.3, we’ve uncovered details on forthcoming screen recording and streaming capabilities. In future updates, users can expect to:

• Record with stereo microphone audio
• Display a live camera overlay in a picture-in-picture format
• Enjoy HDR support for screen recordings

DMN’s Perspective

While iOS 18.3 may not feature standout additions like its two preceding updates, it still includes several important changes. These encompass both visible features and core updates that suggest future iOS developments and hardware. We will return next week with a complete roundup of all the new features once iOS 18.3 is available to the public. In the meantime, feel free to share your thoughts below!