Apple is expected to introduce new iPhone features with iOS 16.3, which is expected to launch in February and March to coincide with the Mac’s release in early 2023.
- What is happening? Apple will reportedly release iOS 16.3, iPadOS 16.3, and macOS Ventura 13.3 between early February and early March 2023.
- Why care? Apple hasn’t yet added all of the new iPhone features in iOS 16, although this mid-cycle update should address that issue.
- What to do? Update to iOS 16 if you haven’t already, and keep an eye on this space as we’ll be posting new iOS 16.3 features when Apple starts testing the update.
When will Apple release iOS 16.3?
Mark Gurman writes in his Power On newsletter on Bloomberg:
I was told that Apple intends to introduce updated models, including M2-based versions of the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro, in the first quarter of calendar year 2023 and has tied the launch to the upcoming macOS Ventura 13.3 and iOS 16.3.
Specifically, he says that iOS 16.3, iPadOS 16.3, and macOS Ventura 13.3 are “expected”to launch publicly “from early February to early March.”Gurman doesn’t mention it, but tvOS 16.3 and watchOS 9.3 are also due out with iOS 16.3. Read: How to View Image EXIF Data in macOS
What are the new iPhone features in iOS 16.3?
At the moment, we don’t know much about the new iPhone features in iOS 16.3. As we said, Apple hasn’t started testing iOS 16.3 with developers yet.
However, before iOS 16.3 is available for developer testing, Apple will release iOS 16.2, iPadOS 16.2, and macOS Ventura 13.1 (currently in testing) to the general public. They will add some missing features like the Apple Freeform app for collaboration and brainstorming. Read: How to Collaborate in Apple Pages, Numbers, and Keynote
Other iOS 16.2 improvements include more frequent real-time activity updates, a new Apple Sleep widget, random SOS emergency call messages, and more.
Be sure to check out our roundup of all the new features in iOS 16.3.
When will the new Macs arrive?
As we reported separately, no new Macs are expected to launch before the end of 2022, despite rumors to the contrary.
Gurman says the company was planning to release updated 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pros with M2 chips this fall, but changed its mind.
Now, the company is reportedly planning to release these laptops in early 2023, between early February and early March, before new Macs are released.