Every iPhone model that supports Apple's AI features (including the new Siri)

In what could be argued is an unsurprising turn of events, Apple is finding itself on the backfoot with AI developments this year, choosing to take its time and roll out features as they’re polished and refined. While the company first unveiled its advances during WWDC in June, it took to its recent “It’s Glowtime” product launch to truly highlight how Apple Intelligence will significantly upgrade the iPhone experience.

Also: iOS 18.1 with Apple Intelligence is here. Try these 5 AI features first

However, there’s a catch: the new experiences will require one of the more recent iPhone models, which will also need to be running iOS 18.1. That means that even if you update to the newly released iOS 18.1 on an older model to experience Apple Intelligence. you’ll need to consider upgrading your iPhone to one of the models listed below. 

What new AI features come with iOS 18?

iOS 18.1 didn’t launch with Apple’s full loadout of Apple Intelligence features, but later versions should boast many new AI tools. You can find the full list of features below, broken down by those available now, and coming later:  

• Improved Siri
• AI-powered photo editing (Cleaning Photos) 
• Writing tools (including rewriting and proofreading text features) 
• Priority notifications
• Smart Replies
• Notification Summaries

Coming later: 

• Apple Image Playground
• Genmoji
• AI-generated photo memory movies
• Search in videos
• New summarization tools for email, Keynotes, third-party apps, and more
• Image Wand in the Notes app
• Personal Context 

Which iPhone models support these new AI features?

You’ll need at least an iPhone 15 Pro (or a newer model) to use these features.

Requiring Apple’s latest hardware to experience these new features may seem like planned obsolescence or a money grab, and it’s probably a bit of both. But there’s also the hardware aspect, with Apple claiming that the provision is due to the processing hardware (such as RAM and memory) needed to support its new AI features — especially for tasks that require on-device processing.

Also: My biggest regret after updating my iPhone to iOS 18 (and I’m not alone)

Processing AI tasks on-device offers two key benefits: It keeps information more secure and ensures less latency. Apple claims that not all iPhones, especially older models, have the processing power to handle those tasks. The new AI features will rely on both cloud-based and on-device processing, depending on the complexity of the task.

Specifically, Apple says these tasks require at least Apple’s A17 Pro chip, currently found only in the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max. That means the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus, while released simultaneously as the Pro models, won’t support the AI upgrades, as those phones only have Apple’s A16 Bionic SoC. The iPhone 16 lineup features A18 and A18 Pro chips, making them the best suited for the full AI experience. 

Also: Every iPhone 16 model compared: Should you buy the standard, Plus, Pro, or Max?

If you don’t own the iPhone 15 Pro and don’t plan on upgrading anytime soon, don’t worry; you may still get to experience some Apple Intelligence features, specifically those that run via the cloud. If you want the full experience, however, you may want to start preparing to purchase a new iPhone.

Which Mac and iPad models support Apple Intelligence?

The good news is that if you are a Mac or iPad user, you won’t need the newest model. To use the AI features on a Mac or iPad, your device will need at least an M1 chip; considering Apple is currently manufacturing M4 iPads and M3 Macs, many users with older devices should have some wiggle room to test-drive the latest AI features.

When will Apple Intelligence roll out? 

The first rollout of Apple Intelligence AI features was released in iOS 18.1 on Oct. 28 and has simpler features such as notification summaries. A report from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman suggests that Apple Intelligence will roll out in waves, with the subsequent iOS 18.2 update including ChatGPT and Genmoji, and the iOS 18.4 update in March will feature the Siri overhaul.