A big iPhone update is right around the corner

By Joe Maring Published May 7, 2024

An iPhone 15 Pro Max sitting upright, showing one of its home screens. — Joe Maring / Digital Trends

With announcements for 2024 models of the iPad Air and iPad Pro, today’s been a busy day of Apple news. But the iPad isn’t the only Apple product in the news today. Following the big announcements from its event earlier this morning, Apple also shared some important news regarding the next iPhone update.

As of Tuesday, May 7, Apple has begun rolling out RC builds for iOS 17.5. RC stands for “Release Candidate,” and it’s the last beta version of a software update that Apple releases before its final public rollout. In other news, the official iOS 17.5 update should be right around the corner.

Recommended Videos

What are we expecting from iOS 17.5? If you’re an Apple News+ subscriber and live in the U.S. or Canada, you’ll be able to play a new word game called Quartiles. As discovered by Gadget Hacks earlier this year. Quartiles is described as follows:

Please enable Javascript to view this content

“You start with 20 tiles in a grid and combine them to form words of one, two, three, or four tiles. Each puzzle has five quartiles, each of which gives you 8 points. Find all five to net a 40-point bonus for a total of 80 points. You also get one point for one-tile words, two for two-tile words, and four for three-tile words.”

Also, 9to5Mac suspects iOS 17.5 will include new anti-stalking features for AirTags and other item-tracker accessories. We also expect a new feature in Find My called “Repair State,” which will allow repair shops to safely repair your iPhone without you needing to disable Find My and/or Stolen Device Protection.

Color-changing Apple Podcasts widget is back in iOS 17.5! pic.twitter.com/2PonD5FMi6

— Stephen Robles (@stephenrobles) April 2, 2024

Another small update is an upgraded Apple Podcasts widget, which will allow the background of the widget to change colors to match the artwork of the show you’re listening to. Finally, iOS 17.5 will allow companies in the EU to distribute iPhone apps via the web instead of through the App Store.

In addition to iOS 17.5, Apple has also released RC updates for iPadOS 17.5 and watchOS 10.5. There’s no exact release date for the final builds of these updates, but we expect them to arrive sooner rather than later. Stay tuned!

Topics

Section Editor, Mobile

Joe Maring has been the Section Editor of Digital Trends' Mobile team since June 2022. He leads a team of 13 writers and…

Mobile

This new Belkin accessory transforms your iPhone into a digital camera

The Belkin Stage PowerGrip attached to an iPhone.

The iPhone has a powerful camera built-in, but what if you could turn it into a proper digital camera that can keep you snapping Ansel Adams-worthy pictures all day long? Belkin's newest accessory promises to do just that, and we really hope it works. The Stage Power Grip is a more ergonomically designed accessory that helps you take great shots while reducing shake, and it's just been announced at CES 2025.

Belkin hopes to release the Stage Power Grip sometime in May, but that date isn't set in stone (nor is the price). It functions as both a button to take pictures and a grip to help you keep a steady hand. It attaches to your iPhone via MagSafe and includes a 10,000mAh power bank, too. There's also a built-in USB-C cable for charging other devices (as well as your iPhone, if needed).

Mobile

Behind the scenes of a Royal Caribbean cruise as captured by the iPhone 16 Pro

Captain Tobias, the skipper aboard Royal Caribbean Allure of the Seas in December 2024 (captured on the iPhone 16 Pro)

Have you ever been on a cruise? I recently went on my first cruise, and it was on one of the biggest ships you'll find. The Allure of the Seas — the second in Royal Caribbean’s Oasis class and formerly the biggest cruise ship in the world — is effectively a floating town with a capacity for 5,400 passengers and 2,300 crew members.

The experience aside, the cruise also offered an opportunity to learn more about the inner workings of a Royal Caribbean ship. Considering the logistical operation required to ensure smooth sailing, it was an opportunity I couldn’t pas up.

Mobile

Samsung and Apple’s race to slim phones might skirt the sticker shock

Samsung Galaxy S24 and iPhone 16 Pro side by side.

Over the course of the past few months, numerous outlets have reported on Samsung and Apple’s plans to make “slim” phones. Naturally, one would think that an “innovation tax” is imminent, but it seems these skinny phones won’t deliver a price shock.

In Apple’s case, the alleged iPhone 17 Air will replace the iPhone Plus model, which apparently had an unexpectedly low sales run. Apple, therefore, has to fill the Plus gap with an Air model this year without making any big changes to the pricing structure.