iOS 18 Beta 8 Available to Download
Apple has released iOS 18 beta 8 alongside iPadOS 18 beta 8 for users enrolled in the developer beta testing programs for Apple system software. The rumors that beta 7 could be the final build have proved false, as iOS 18 beta 8 and iPadOS 18 beta 8 are now available as well as macOS Sequoia beta 8, tvOS 18 beta 8, watchOS 11 beta 8, and visionOS 2 beta 8.
Separately, iOS 18.1 beta 3, iPadOS 18.1 beta 3, and macOS Sequoia 15.1 beta 3, are also available. These concurrent beta releases are different in that they support Apple Intelligence AI features (at least on devices that are compatible with iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS Sequoia, and that also support the Apple Intelligence features).
It’s certainly conceivable that beta 8 is either the final build or close to the final build, and while the final public release is likely coming soon, any user can jump ahead of the pack by installing iOS 18 beta on iPhone or installing iPadOS 18 beta on iPad if they’re motivated to do so. You can update directly from betas to the final versions.