iOS 18 and iPhone 16: AI Capabilities and Exclusives
Apple‘s upcoming iOS 18 update and brand new iPhone 16 models are shaping up to be a tour de force for artificial intelligence features on Apple’s mobile platform. With highly anticipated AI enhancements rumored for both the software and hardware sides, let’s dive into what to potentially expect from Apple’s AI push in 2024.
iOS 18: Taking AI Mainstream
If the leaks and rumors are to be believed, AI will undoubtedly be the marquee focus of iOS 18 when it arrives this fall. Early test versions have already surfaced, offering a glimpse at the AI-powered capabilities Apple is cooking up.
Perhaps the biggest planned addition is a vastly smarter and more capable version of Siri powered by generative AI – Apple’s response to the viral ChatGPT bot. This new Siri AI assistant is expected to work seamlessly across core Apple apps, translating voice notes to text, auto-generating playlists in Apple Music based on your listening habits, and even drafting entire documents, spreadsheets, or presentations on command with just a few keywords.
Reputable leakers like Mark Gurman claim iOS 18 will represent “one of the biggest upgrades in years” thanks to the wealth of AI features and foundational updates to make AI a core part of the iPhone experience going forward.
Apple is also said to be opening up AI API access to third-party developers, massively expanding the AI capabilities of the App Store ecosystem.
iPhone 16 Series AI Exclusives
While iOS 18’s AI smarts should benefit all compatible iPhones to varying degrees, Apple is expected to reserve the most advanced and exclusive AI capabilities for its new iPhone 16 lineup launching alongside the software update.Â
Leakers indicate the iPhone 16 models will feature upgraded microphones better tuned for AI voice interactions, as well as potential camera hardware improvements to enable more advanced AI photo/video processing and enhancements. Just as Samsung and Google have positioned their recent flagships as “AI-first mobile devices,” Apple appears poised to make a similar play with the iPhone 16 series and then some.
Beyond the iPhone 16 hardware optimizations, rumors point to Apple holding back certain top-tier AI functions as iPhone 16 exclusives to provide more value and differentiation for their new premium handsets over older models. We’ve already seen Apple take a similar approach by limiting certain capabilities like ProRaw photo capture to the latest iPhone generations.
Other iOS 18 Additions
While AI looks to be the headlining act, iOS 18 will surely pack other refinements and new features as well. We could see further expansion of Apple’s revamped CarPlay experience with deeper AI integration. The controversial decision to allow third-party app sideloading in Europe may also extend to more regions with iOS 18.
iOS 18 Launch Timeline
As for the release timeline, history suggests iOS 18 will officially roll out to all supported iPhones sometime in mid-to-late September 2024, shortly after Apple unveils the iPhone 16 lineup. The first developer beta should arrive shortly after WWDC in early June, while a more stable public beta will likely follow in late June or early July.
Device Compatibility
In terms of compatibility, Apple has historically supported iPhones for roughly 5-6 years with major iOS updates. With that in mind, the oldest devices that could make the cut for iOS 18 may be the iPhone 11 series and second-gen iPhone SE from 2020. But higher-end AI capabilities will likely require more modern A-series chips with dedicated Neural Engine components optimized for machine learning workloads.
While plenty of details remain under wraps, all signs point to 2024 being Apple’s biggest push yet into mainstream AI consumer experiences between iOS 18 and the AI-focused iPhone 16. Combined with Apple’s industry-leading silicon, the AI revolution may finally be coming to iPhones in a massive way this year.
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