Over the years, many iPhone users have switched from Apple’s built-in Mail app to third-party alternatives. For instance, Gmail delivers incoming emails a split second faster with push notifications, which can be crucial in a busy office environment.
Meanwhile, Outlook integrates seamlessly with Microsoft 365, offering productivity features that appeal to power users.
Apple seems to have taken notice of the competition, and it’s preparing to roll out an upgrade that might just make Mail users rethink their app choice. In the coming weeks and months, the Mail app will receive a host of new AI-powered features (thanks to Apple Intelligence on the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 16), along with a sleek redesign.
Here’s what you need to know about the upcoming changes and how they could impact your inbox.
What’s New in Apple Mail in iOS 18?
With the release of iOS 18.1 next week, Apple is rolling out a range of new AI-powered features for the Mail app, ahead of a major redesign slated for later this winter.
Email summaries:
One of the standout features is the ability to get brief summaries of the messages in your inbox. By tapping the “Summarize” button above an email, you’ll receive an AI-generated snapshot of its contents, allowing you to quickly grasp the key points without having to sift through long emails or endless threads.
Smart replies:
Another time-saving feature is Apple’s AI-powered email replies, which can draft responses for you, letting you reply quickly without writing out a full message. Keep an eye out for AI-generated suggestions at the top of your keyboard. The feature is similar to Gmail’s Smart Replies, but with more contextual relevance.
Prioritized emails:
Time-sensitive messages, such as flight check-ins or meeting invites, will be moved to the top of your inbox in a new “Priority” section, ensuring you don’t miss important updates.
Priority notifications and summaries:
Rather than sifting through a pile of email notifications, you’ll now see a summary of multiple messages on your lock screen, with the most urgent ones prioritized at the top. This way, you won’t need to keep checking your inbox for important updates.
What about the redesign?
While the AI features will be exclusive to the latest iPhones, the overall redesign of Mail will be available to all iOS 18 users in December—and it might be even more useful than the AI updates.
The new layout will organize your inbox into four main categories, making it easier to navigate. Important messages will go into a “Priority” section, purchases and deliveries (like from Amazon) will be in “Transactions,” newsletters and social media notifications will be in “Updates,” and anything shopping-related, like deals or vouchers, will be in “Promotions.”
Each category will have its own button at the top of your inbox, with a unique icon and color. Apple is also adding a new “Select” button, allowing you to quickly delete multiple messages without having to highlight each one first.
Lastly, as Apple rolls out its Business Connect feature, you’ll see logos next to emails from brands. This means spotting emails from companies like Amazon, your bank, or eBay will be easier.
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