The new Apple Intelligence features coming to iOS 18 could be the most impressive integrations of AI software and consumer hardware yet. Apple’s AI tools will be able to take actions based on what they know about you, manage your notifications and rewrite text. This is the kind of thing that could significantly improve your everyday use of your iPhone. But they’ll only be available if you own one of Apple’s newest and most expensive iPhone models.
AI has quickly become the latest entry in the tech industry’s never-ending desire to drive an upgrade cycle. A few years ago, all smartphone manufacturers raced towards 5G; more than a decade ago, the television industry lobbied for 3D TVs. Right now, every tech company clearly sees an opportunity with AI and is accordingly adding limited AI features to their latest and greatest devices. But as with the race to 5G, the mad rush to AI is happening quickly and before the technology has proven its usefulness and its problems are solved.
To use Apple Intelligence on an iPhone, you’ll need to have an iPhone 15 Pro (which starts at $999) or an iPhone 15 Pro Max (which starts at $1,199). This is likely a disappointment for iPhone 15 and 15 Plus users, who own phones that aren’t even a year old. iPad and Mac users have better luck: You’ll need to use one of these devices with an M1 chip or newer to try Apple Intelligence for yourself, so any device with the latest years will work. (M-series chips, of course, have been another reason Apple has encouraged to upgrade your gear.)
Apple isn’t necessarily playing tricks here, as there is a real need for improved hardware to run advanced AI systems. AI processing is demanding. And Apple isn’t the only tech company pairing some of its best new AI software features with specific hardware. Only the new PC Copilot Plus from Microsoft and others will support some AI features in Windows like the (controversial) Reminder. With its Pixel devices, Google initially said its Gemini Nano model would only be available on its Pixel 8 Pro, even though the standard Pixel 8 has the same Tensor G3 chipset.
On the other hand, it’s not clear how firm these hardware limitations actually are. Apple hasn’t explained exactly why older iPhones can’t use Apple Intelligence. Many AI capabilities are local, but more advanced queries are often moved to the cloud. And given that Google recently said than the Pixel 8 in fact, I will being able to run Gemini Nano, the limitations may not be as simple as tech companies claim. Apple did not respond to a request for comment on the hardware restrictions.
Inasmuch as Super fan iPhone 12 Mini, this potential upgrade is a huge disappointment. Since its launch in 2020, the little phone has remained almost perfect for me even with its lackluster battery. I haven’t had any significant reason to upgrade my phone in years, saving me a lot of money while still using the vast majority of new features included in iOS upgrades.
I was hoping to keep my Mini phone until it went kaput. But if these Apple Intelligence features actually work, I might end up getting a new iPhone a lot sooner than expected.
To be honest, you don’t have to upgrade your devices just because of some new AI features. iOS 18 will be available on all iPhones running iOS 17 – devices dating back to 2018’s iPhone XR and practical messages (tapbacks with any emoji!) and Passwords app. And you can of course continue to use your current Windows computer and Pixel phones if they serve you well.
But you can be sure that Apple, Microsoft, Google and others will continue to add new AI features to their operating systems that require better hardware. Obviously, they think (or maybe just hope) that the features will be compelling enough to make an upgrade much more attractive, even if you don’t. Really need that.
