Apple is gearing up for a major AI push with its upcoming iOS 18 update, but not all iPhone users will be able to take advantage of the new Apple Intelligence features. The company has revealed that only its most recent high-end models will fully support the AI capabilities, sparking both excitement and frustration among Apple fans.
Limited Device Support
According to Apple, the full suite of AI features will require at least an iPhone 15 Pro or newer model. This means even users with the standard iPhone 15 or 15 Plus won't have access to all the AI enhancements. The company cites the need for advanced processing power, particularly the A17 Pro chip or newer, to handle on-device AI tasks.
Phased Rollout of Features
Apple plans to introduce its AI features gradually:
- iOS 18.1 (Coming soon): Email and website summarization, writing assistance, photo clean-up, smart reply suggestions, AI-generated memory movies, and call transcription.
- iOS 18.2 (Expected December): Image Playground for AI image generation, Genmoji for custom emoji creation, and potential ChatGPT integration with Siri.
- Future updates: Personal Siri with enhanced app integration (rumored for March 2024).
The Promise of Apple Intelligence
Apple has released teaser videos showcasing some of the AI capabilities:
- A more personal Siri that can search through your apps for contextual information.
- Custom memory movies to help process emotions and relive moments.
- Email summarization to quickly grasp important details.
Looking Ahead
While the limited device support may disappoint some users, Apple's cautious approach aligns with its focus on privacy and on-device processing. For those with compatible devices, Apple Intelligence promises to bring a new level of AI-powered convenience and creativity to the iPhone experience.
As the AI features continue to roll out, it will be interesting to see how Apple balances innovation with accessibility across its device lineup.