Apple
Why iOS 18.1 rolling Apple Intelligence to only 6 iPhones?
Apple is rolling out the iOS 18.1 software update with Apple Intelligence for only 6 iPhones, which is quite controversial from an old iPhone user’s point of view.
At WWDC24, Apple Intelligence debuted with generative AI features and services. Apple has been preparing these new changes for users but it’s still late in the competition.
Coming late wasn’t the only disappointment as Apple AI supports only six iPhones. Meanwhile, iOS 18 (without Apple Intelligence) supports 23 devices. These Apple Intelligence-supported iPhones are:
- iPhone 16
- iPhone 16 Plus
- iPhone 16 Pro
- iPhone 16 Pro Max
- iPhone 15 Pro
- iPhone 15 Pro Max
Even the recently released iPhone 15 and 15 Plus are left behind in the AI race. The Cupertino-based tech company said this ineligibility is based on performance factors and the chipset is the center of this entire controversy.
The iPhone 15 and 15 Plus use A16 Bionic, and the Pro models have A17 Pro. Actually, the A16 was also used in last year’s iPhone 14 Pro lineup. On the other hand, the iPhone 14 Plus was a generation behind with A15 Bionic.
This year, the company broke this generation difference and gave almost identical chipsets to the iPhone 16 devices. According to Apple, iPhones released before the A17 Pro chipset cannot run new generative AI features.
That’s not it, Apple’s preparations with AI are also incomplete because iOS 18.1 only brings some Apple Intelligence features. These are not full Apple Intelligence features the company promoted during WWDC24 or the iPhone 16 series launch event.
So, these 6 iPhone users will have to wait for iOS 18.2 and subsequent software updates to get the rest of the AI features such as Image Playground, Genmoji, Magic Wand, Advanced Siri, and more.
Since old iPhones won’t get Apple Intelligence, they can still download this new software update for user experience optimizations. And new iPhone users can get this upgrade to start using new AI capabilities.