PostgreSQL 18 is finally here, bringing faster queries, smarter indexes, smoother upgrades, and modern authentication. In this video, we break down the biggest new features - from 3× faster reads with async I/O to skip scans, virtual generated columns, and better replication. If you’re a developer or run Postgres in production, this release is packed with upgrades you don’t want to miss. 🔗 Relevant Links Postgres 18 Released: ❤️ More about us Radically better observability stack: Written tutorials: Example projects: 📱 Socials Twitter: Instagram: TikTok: @betterstack LinkedIn: 📌 Chapters: 00:00 Intro – Why PostgreSQL 18 is a big deal 00:28 Async I/O – Up to 3× faster reads 00:47 Smarter query planning – Skip scans for multicolumn indexes 01:07 Easier upgrades – Planner stats carried across versions 01:22 Faster pg_upgrade – Parallel checks and --swap option 01:37 Developer quality of life – Virtual generated columns 01:50 OLD/NEW in RETURNING – Instant before/after values 02:05 Debugging made easier – EXPLAIN with buffer usage 02:16 Security refresh – OAuth 2.0 and stronger defaults 02:38 Smarter replication – Auto drop idle slots & parallel streaming 02:55 Maintenance updates – Page checksums, vacuum, richer stats 03:42 What it means for developers – Why you should care