Apple Intelligence will be coming with iOS 18. (Image Source: Apple)
When Apple announced “Apple Intelligence” at its Worldwide Developer Conference last week, it said the set of AI features would only work on the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max, as well as iPads and Macs with M-series chips. This did not go down well with many users, who criticized Apple for intentionally restricting Apple Intelligence to newer devices to increase sales. However, Apple has now clarified why the set of AI features, as part of Apple Intelligence, is limited to newer devices.
John Giannandrea, Apple’s AI chief, blames the computational power required to run large language models on the device as the reason why Apple Intelligence is limited to the iPhone 15 Pro and Macs and iPads with M-series chips. “The inference of large language models is incredibly computationally expensive. So it’s a combination of bandwidth in the device, the size of the ANE [Apple Intelligence Neural Engine], and the oomph in the device to actually run these models fast enough to be useful,” Giannandrea said during John Gruber’s The Talk Show.
You’ve Read Your Free Stories For Now
Sign up and keep reading more stories that matter to you.
“You could, in theory, run these models on a very old device, but it would be so slow it would not be useful,” he further added.
Apple Intelligence, Cupertino’s implementation of artificial intelligence, isn’t an app or a chatbot like ChatGPT. Rather, it’s an integrated layer of artificial intelligence embedded in Apple’s newer versions of operating systems. Apple Intelligence is essentially a flavor of AI, and it runs natively on your iPhone or Mac. Because it runs on-device, it requires a lot of processing power, which is why only select Apple devices can run it.
While many Apple users find it disappointing, the truth is they need to upgrade to the latest Apple devices—either the iPhone 15 Pro or an iPad with the newer M-series chip—to meet the requirements needed to run Apple Intelligence. This means an older iPhone 14 Pro Max or iPhone 15 won’t support it.
Apple Intelligence’s AI features include an all-new Siri, AI-assisted writing tools, real-time call transcripts, and the ability to create unique emojis, among many other things.
Story continues below this ad
Analysts hope this approach could spur device upgrades, as Apple has lately seen sluggish iPhone, Mac, and iPad sales. But Apple doesn’t think Apple Intelligence is some sort of scheme to increase iPhone sales. “Otherwise, we would have been smart enough just to do recent iPads and Macs, too,” replied Greg Joswiak, Apple’s marketing head, debunking theories around selling more Apple devices by intentionally limiting Apple Intelligence to newer devices.
However, the bigger question is whether the standard iPhone 16, due for launch later this fall, will get Apple Intelligence, or if users will need a pro model to use the full suite of AI features. Only time will tell.
Anuj Bhatia is a seasoned personal technology writer at indianexpress.com with a career spanning over a decade. Active in the domain since 2011, he has established himself as a distinct voice in tech journalism, specializing in long-form narratives that bridge the gap between complex innovation and consumer lifestyle.
Experience & Career: Anuj has been a key contributor to The Indian Express since late 2016. Prior to his current tenure, he served as a Senior Tech Writer at My Mobile magazine and held a role as a reviewer and tech writer at Gizbot. His professional trajectory reflects a rigorous commitment to technology reporting, backed by a postgraduate degree from Banaras Hindu University.
Expertise & Focus Areas: Anuj’s reporting covers the spectrum of personal technology, characterized by a unique blend of modern analysis and historical context. His key focus areas include:
Core Technology: Comprehensive coverage of smartphones, personal computers, apps, and lifestyle tech.
Deep-Dive Narratives: Specializes in composing longer-form feature articles and explainers that explore the intersection of history, technology, and popular culture.
Global & Local Scope: Reports extensively on major international product launches from industry titans like Apple and Google, while simultaneously covering the ecosystem of indie and home-grown tech startups.
Niche Interests: A dedicated focus on vintage technology and retro gaming, offering readers a nostalgic yet analytical perspective on the evolution of tech.
Authoritativeness & Trust
Anuj is a trusted voice in the industry, recognized for his ability to de-jargonize trending topics and provide context to rapid technological advancements. His authority is reinforced by his on-ground presence at major international tech conferences and his nuanced approach to product reviews. By balancing coverage of the world's most valuable tech brands with emerging startups, he offers a holistic and objective view of the global technology landscape.
Find all stories by Anuj Bhatia here.
You can find Anuj on Linkedin. ... Read More
