With the next major update to iOS 18 coming in October, Apple will roll out its initial set of Apple Intelligence features. However, these new AI enhancements will not work on older iPhone models, even if they do appear on Apple's device compatibility list for iOS 18.
Apple Intelligence
Not all Apple Intelligence features are going to launch at once, and some aren't coming until later in 2024 or in 2025. However, Apple is already testing iOS 18.1, with developers, so we have a pretty good idea of what's going to be available first.
Among the first wave of Apple Intelligence features are improved writing tools. These will include advanced proofreading capabilities for spelling, grammar, and word choice, as well as options to rewrite text in different tones such as friendly or professional. Users will also be able to summarize selected text into various formats like paragraphs, key points, or tables.
Siri is also getting a significant upgrade. The virtual assistant will feature a new visual indicator, with a glow around the edges of the display that responds to the user's voice. Siri will also be able to maintain context between requests, allowing for more natural, multi-step conversations.
In the Mail app, users can expect smart replies and automatic summarization of incoming emails. The Messages app will similarly offer contextual smart reply suggestions based on the content of incoming texts.
The Photos app will introduce natural language search capabilities, allowing users to find specific images or moments in videos using descriptive phrases. Additionally, a new Memory Movie feature will let users create custom video compilations by simply describing the desired content, while a new Clean Up tool lets users remove unwanted objects from their photos.
Other enhancements include audio transcription in the Notes app, a new Reduce Interruptions Focus mode, and the ability to record phone calls with proper notification to all parties.
It's worth noting that these features will not be available on all devices that are compatible with iOS 18, as they require significant processing power. Apple has revealed that Apple Intelligence requires an iPhone 15 Pro or iPhone 16 model to work. Users with older iPhone models may need to consider upgrading if they want to access these new AI capabilities.
That said, iOS 18.1 will be compatible with the same iPhone models as iOS 17. In other words, expect the following iPhone models to run iOS 18.1, but lack support for Apple Intelligence features:
- iPhone 15
- iPhone 15 Plus
- iPhone 14
- iPhone 14 Plus
- iPhone 14 Pro
- iPhone 14 Pro Max
- iPhone 13
- iPhone 13 mini
- iPhone 13 Pro
- iPhone 13 Pro Max
- iPhone 12
- iPhone 12 mini
- iPhone 12 Pro
- iPhone 12 Pro Max
- iPhone 11
- iPhone 11 Pro
- iPhone 11 Pro Max
- iPhone XS
- iPhone XS Max
- iPhone XR
- iPhone SE (2nd generation)
- iPhone SE (3rd generation)
iPadOS 18.1 and macOS 15.1 will share many of the same AI features, but it's important to note that Macs and iPads will need at least an M1 chip to power the on-device AI capabilities. In other words, Apple silicon Macs are the requirement for Apple Intelligence in macOS 15, which rules out Intel Macs. Likewise, anything older than the fifth-generation iPad Pro will not support AI features in iPadOS 18.1.
It's worth noting that (non-supported) standard iPhone 15 models have 6GB of RAM, while the supported iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 16 models have 8GB of RAM. Similarly, all Apple Silicon iPads and Macs come with a minimum of 8GB. Even when scaled back for narrow use cases, AI features require a lot of working memory due to the sheer number of parameters involved, so it looks like this is where Apple is coming up against the hardware limitations of its own devices.
