Garuda is already effected by Spell Speed and Ifrit is not at all. With these changes Ifrit will be the one receiving the buff, although I'm curious if he will still retain his Blunt type skills if his are now going to be magical as well. (Foes + Blunt Resist Down = WIN?)

I suspect the changes in Ifrit's skills we may be seeing
Flaming Crush - Either expanding the AOE range or just making it a stronger single target skill. I suspect it should become a stronger single target skill for Ifrit since that is his true purpose.
Radiant Shield - No idea what they will do with this skill other than whatever they do to change it will absolutely be better than what it is currently.
Ah right you are, I guess when you've been avidly trying to avoid SpS, that fact gets overlooked.