iOS 18.3 Beta 3: What’s New and Improved
Apple has released iOS 18.3 Beta 3 to registered developers, bringing a host of new features, improvements, and bug fixes. This blog post will cover everything you need to know about the latest beta update.
Introduction
iOS 18.3 Beta 3 was released one week after Beta 2 and includes updates for iPadOS 18.3, watchOS 11.3, macOS Aqua 15.3, tvOS 18.3, and visionOS 2.3. The update size is approximately 755 MB on the iPhone 16 Pro Max, with a build number of 22D5055B, indicating we are close to a final release.
What’s New in iOS 18.3 Beta 3
Summarized Notifications
One of the key changes in iOS 18.3 Beta 3 is the update to summarized notifications. When you receive multiple notifications from an app, they are now displayed in italics to differentiate them from standard notifications. Additionally, Apple has temporarily disabled summarized notifications for news and entertainment apps due to issues with misleading headlines.
New Splash Screen for Summarized Notifications
When enabling summarized notifications for the first time, a new splash screen appears, clearly indicating that the feature is in beta and may contain errors. This transparency helps users understand the potential inaccuracies in summarized notifications.
Calculation Continuations
A new feature introduced in Beta 2 and continued in Beta 3 is calculation continuations. You can now repeat calculations by tapping the equals sign in the Calculator app, making it easier to perform consecutive calculations.
Invites App
References to a new app called “Invites” have been found in the code, suggesting that Apple is working on an app to help users create and manage events. This app could offer additional features not available in the current Calendar app.
Sleep Apnea Notifications
Sleep apnea notifications are now enabled in Brazil, allowing users to receive alerts when wearing their Apple Watch to bed.
Bug Fixes
Several bugs have been addressed in this update, including the tiny Apple logo bug on the iPhone 16 Pro Max and issues with personalized Emojis and HealthKit.
Performance and Battery Life
Performance in iOS 18.3 Beta 3 is stable, with no significant issues reported. Geekbench scores indicate a slight decrease compared to Beta 2, but this is expected as the device reindexes after the update. Battery life appears to be steady, with no major changes observed.
Release Notes
Apple has not updated the release notes for Beta 3, but Beta 2 included fixes for personalized Emojis, HealthKit, and third-party writing tools.
Expected Release Date
The next update could be either Beta 4 or the Release Candidate (RC). If Apple follows last year’s schedule, we could see the RC next week, with the final release by the end of January or early February.
Conclusion
iOS 18.3 Beta 3 brings several new features, improvements, and bug fixes, making it a significant update for iPhone users. Keep an eye out for the final release, which is expected soon.