Highlights

• iOS 18 to introduce advanced AI features integrated at the system level.
• Full AI capabilities require the latest iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max with A17 Pro chip.
• iPhone 15 and 15 Plus may miss out on some AI enhancements due to older A16 chip.
• iOS 18 public launch expected in September alongside the iPhone 16 lineup.

In just over a week, Apple will unveil iOS 18 and its other new operating system versions.

The main highlight this year is the introduction of AI features deeply integrated into the system level for Apple’s customers.

To handle the AI processing, Apple is expected to use a combination of on-device and cloud computing.

However, according to Mark Gurman from Bloomberg, many of these upcoming on-device AI capabilities will require the latest high-end iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max models.

That is a slight shame since the majority of iPhone users are not likely to harbour Apple’s latest and greatest.

That is partly Apple’s fault for making iPhones so long-lasting and efficient that users tend not to upgrade them for a while.

Exclusivity & Segmentation

It seems that to fully utilise every new iOS 18 feature, users will need to own the latest ‘Pro’ iPhones powered by the A17 Pro chip.

The cheaper iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus released last autumn are equipped with the older A16 chip, which may not be able to handle all the AI enhancements.

This exclusivity is likely a result of both product marketing segmentation, increasing the appeal of higher-end models, and technical requirements.

The A17 boasts significantly faster CPU and GPU cores, a new 16-core Neural Engine capable of 35 trillion operations per second, and an increased 8GB of integrated RAM (up from 6GB).

By the time iOS 18 launches publicly in September, the iPhone 15 Pro series will have been out for a year, and Apple will have unveiled the 2024 iPhone 16 lineup — which will undoubtedly support all the iOS 18 features and potentially even have additional AI-exclusive capabilities.

FAQs

What are the main highlights of iOS 18?

The main highlights of iOS 18 include advanced AI features deeply integrated at the system level, offering enhanced performance and user experience.

Which iPhone models will fully support the new AI features in iOS 18?

The iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max models, powered by the A17 Pro chip, will fully support the new AI features in iOS 18.

Why won’t the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus support all the AI enhancements?

The iPhone 15 and 15 Plus models are equipped with the older A16 chip, which may not be able to handle all the AI enhancements introduced in iOS 18.

What are the technical requirements for the AI features in iOS 18?

The AI features in iOS 18 require the A17 Pro chip, which has significantly faster CPU and GPU cores, a new 16-core Neural Engine capable of 35 trillion operations per second, and increased 8GB of RAM.

When is the public launch of iOS 18 expected?

The public launch of iOS 18 is expected in September, alongside the unveiling of the iPhone 16 lineup.

Also Read: Apple’s iOS 18 Is Likely to Be Its Most Ambitious Update Yet: Mark Gurman

Also Read: Apple Reportedly Acquires DarwinAI to Boost iOS 18 AI Features and More

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