Just before the holidays, rumors swirled about a possible surprise iPhone update, iOS 18.2.1, to fix issues generated in the recent mammoth release of iOS 18.2, which brought Apple Intelligence to millions of users around the world in early December. Now, it looks like that surprise has been confirmed.Apple iPhone 16.Getty ImagesThat confirmation has come from an anonymous social media account with a proven track record of sharing iOS-related information, according to Joe Rossignol at MacRumors.The next release will come before the iOS 18.3 update expected in late January or early February 2025.iOS 18.2.1 Build NumberThe new information includes the build number for the software update, which the account refers to as 22C161. Of course, those six characters give no clue as to whats in the release, but if they are correct, they do let us know that its definitely on its way.So far in the iOS 18 cycle, which has been stuffed with new features including, but far from limited to Apple Intelligence, has followed a regular cadence: big release followed quicklyoften surprisingly quicklyby a smaller number to fix issues.MORE FOR YOUiOS 18.2.1: Why Its A SurpriseThe speed of the update is the heart of the surprise here, too. Although it might seem a long time since iOS 18.2 launched, that may be an illusion caused by the headlong rush for the holdays. The software only launched just over two weeks ago, on Wednesday, Dec. 11.iOS 18.2.1: The ContentWell, no new features, surely. Those will be coming in iOS 18.3 in the new year, and theres still a lot more Apple Intelligence to be delivered.Instead, this will be all about fixes and improvements to the existing software. You can read about the issues that arose in iOS 18.2 here, and they include battery issues, Face ID failures and more.iOS 18.2.1. Release DateMacRumors says that when its source comes up with the build number, only a week elapses before the general release. Since the information came on Tuesday, Dec. 24, that suggests Tuesday, Dec. 31 as the release date.Id caution against this, or other reports suggesting it could land before then. Apple employees have holiday plans, too and getting the great ship Apple back to full steam ahead can take a minute or two.I believe well see iOS 18.2.1 in January, likely on Monday, Jan. 6 or Tuesday, Jan. 7. More as we have it.