Apple is set to unveil AI-based tools that will power the upcoming iPhone 16 family at its annual Worldwide Developer Conference next week. These features will also be available for older iPhones, but only the iPhone 15 Pro will be able to fully utilize them. The new AI tools are expected to enhance the user experience by providing better images, natural responses from Siri, and more accurate image processing.
However, according to Mark Gurman of Bloomberg’s Power On newsletter, Apple’s integration of AI with the iPhone 16 family and iOS 18 won’t be ready for the new iPhone launch in September. While Apple plans to release several AI features this fall with iOS 18, the upgraded Siri capabilities will not be available until sometime next year. This delay raises concerns about how Apple’s AI efforts compare to those of competitors like Google, Samsung, OnePlus, and Honor, who have already launched AI-first smartphones.
The delay in AI capabilities for the iPhone may be due to the A17 Pro chipset inside the Pro models, which is Apple’s latest Axx mobile chipset. The A17 Pro’s Neural engine, alongside faster CPU and GPU cores, will be necessary to run on-device LLMs and generative AI routines. The iPhone 16 Pro models are expected to feature the updated A18 Pro chipset, specifically designed to support intensive AI routines. This means that only the current iPhone 15 Pro will have the power to leverage the full suite of AI tools.
There may be an option to offload some AI routines into the cloud, a strategy adopted by some Android manufacturers to enable AI capabilities on lower-spec hardware. If Apple chooses this approach, it is likely to emphasize the privacy implications of AI in the cloud and how it will mitigate associated risks. However, Apple may also encourage users to consider purchasing a new AI-capable handset to fully experience the benefits of AI technology in their smartphones. Overall, the push towards AI in smartphones is driving the need for new hardware to deliver competent solutions.
Apple is expected to showcase its AI capabilities at the Worldwide Developer Conference, focusing on features that will enhance user experience. While the iPhone 16 family will not fully integrate AI until next year, the rollout of AI features with iOS 18 this fall indicates Apple’s commitment to leveraging AI technology in its products. With competitors already launching AI-first smartphones, Apple may need to prioritize hardware upgrades to keep up with the evolving AI landscape in the smartphone industry.
