Apple's WWDC 2024 is mere days away, and the company has given various hints about the event's highlights. What we do know for sure is that AI-infused iOS 18 will be unveiled, which is speculated to be the biggest update the iPhone has ever received. However, it does not end there, as Apple's AI features will take the crown for the most awaited features we have been hearing since last year. This raises the question of which iPhone models will support the new AI features.
iOS 18's AI features could have hardware requirements for on-device or cloud-based processing - Check out the full list
Apple's AI efforts have stretched far beyond simple app integrations, as rumors have pointed out that the company is planning a system-wide roll out of the generative AI technology. It was recently uncovered by Mark Gurman that the iPhone 15 Pro models will be the base devices for getting Apple's high-end AI features with iOS 18. This does not necessarily mean that all older models will be left out, as the devices will get some features, but the division rests undisclosed at this stage.
Apple's iOS 18 AI features will be available in two parts - basic and advanced - and will be available on different iPhone models. Some utilities will come with on-device processing and could be integrated into system apps, such as Messages, Apple Music, Notes, and more. On the flip side, more advanced AI features could rely on Apple's cloud-based servers, which could include Siri and some of the editing features in the Photos app. Take note that these are mere speculations based on what we believe will be the cut for Apple's AI features.
In a recent report from Mark Gurman, it was anticipated that Siri would be able to accomplish complex multiple tasks through natural language commands, and it appears that such a feature will be exclusive to only high-end iPhone models, even if it requires on-device processing. Apple's iPhone 15 Pro models come with the new and improved A17 Pro chip with a comparatively powerful Neural Engine. We also believe there will be a mix of on-device and cloud-based AI features for all iPhone models, but the exact ratio is unknown at this point.
Gurman speculates that on-device AI utilities will largely require an iPhone 15 Pro, despite iOS 18's compatibility stretching to all models that support iOS 17. From this notion, we can presume that the iPhone models mentioned below will not be able to fully take advantage of Apple's much-awaited AI 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)
The list is devised based on reports from Mark Gurman and should be taken with a grain of salt as the final word rests with Apple. As for the iPad and Mac, Gurman highlights that the devices will require at least an M1 chip to perform on-device operations. However, Intel-based Macs would still be able to perform some features through a cloud-based approach.
There is no word on whether RAM is a requirement for Apple's forthcoming AI features, as the standard iPhone 15 comes with 6GB of RAM while the 'Pro' models house 8GB of RAM. Do take the news with a grain of salt, as the company could surprise us with a thorough rollout of AI features for its new and older devices.
About the author: Ali Salman is a technology reporter for Wccftech mobile section with a specialized focus on Apple and the intellectual property that drives mobile innovation. He has cultivated a unique expertise in analyzing and deconstructing complex technology patents, translating dense legal and technical documents into clear, insightful reports on future products.
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