If you’ve seen talk of Apple Intelligence for iPhone 16 but don’t know what it is, we’re here to help. We’ve put together this explainer on Apple’s AI features first revealed at WWDC 2024, detailing what they are and what devices are compatible.
The release of Apple Intelligence is the most revolutionary change for the brand’s iOS operating system in years, enhancing multiple apps while adding new useful and engaging tools. It comes in the same year we’ve seen the best Google Pixel phones and the best Samsung phones arrive with their own AI features, as the industry wholeheartedly embraces AI and how it can transform the smartphone experience. So, let’s find out what Apple has planned to help bolster the sales of the iPhone 16.
What is Apple Intelligence?
Simply put, Apple Intelligence is the name Apple has given to its collection of multimodal AI-powered features. Genmoji, conversational Siri with ChatGPT, Writing Tools, and more all fit into the category, but they’re arriving at different times. We’ve already had Writing Tools, Genmoji, and Image Playground at the time of writing, but more are on their way in 2025.
Here’s more information about Apple Intelligence:
Enhanced Siri with ChatGPT
We’ve been waiting years for a meaningful update to Siri, and with iOS 18 and Apple Intelligence, we’re finally getting it. The headline news is that Apple has integrated ChatGPT, the infamous AI-powered chatbot and virtual assistant, into Siri, so you can get in-depth answers to even the most probing queries. Siri still doesn’t rely on Apple Intelligence for everything, and it’ll ask you first if you want to refer to the AI chatbot, but it’s a fantastic feature to have.
Outside of the addition of ChatGPT functionality, Siri has had a bit of a visual revamp, swapping the orb at the bottom of the screen for a glowing frame around the display. That’s not the only quality of life update, with iOS 18’s Siri also able to understand poorly worded queries, respond to text rather than just voice, and have onscreen awareness. This last improvement might be the best of all, as you’ll be able to get specific information about something on the screen, like a map location or app, without searching Google.
Image editing and creation tools
Image Playground is a new Apple Intelligence feature that allows you to create completely original images just from text prompts. In includes three styles; Animation, Illustration, and Sketch. There’s also the option to select a subject from your emojis, be it yourself, someone you know, or your pet, to serve as the basis for an AI image.
Genmoji is another new AI image generation tool, but as the name suggests, it’s for creating custom emojis. Despite countless additions over the years, Apple’s emoji library is still pretty limited, but the introduction of genmoji offers an endless array of emoticons that you can use to properly express yourself. I’m sure you’re imagining some already.
Writing and text tools
Apple Intelligence boasts a few writing and text tools that could make your life easier. As we’ve seen with Samsung’s Galaxy AI features, Writing Tools includes a summarizer to condense long emails or reports into simplified bullet points, plus rewriting and proofreading functions to make your emails and messages as well-written as possible.
Going even further than rewrites, AI-powered Smart Reply is a fresh feature that gives you the option to send in-depth replies without even typing a word. There’s also new priority notifications and priority email features, pushing your most important communications to the top of the pile, so you don’t miss an important text or email because of another annoying Uber Eats notification.
Which iPhones support Apple Intelligence?
To use Apple Intelligence on your smartphone, you’ll need one of the following devices:
- iPhone 15 Pro or iPhone 15 Pro Max
- iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, or iPhone 16 Pro Max
Unlike Samsung, which has rolled out its AI features across multiple older devices, Apple isn’t bringing Apple Intelligence to anything older than the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max.
When is Apple Intelligence launching?
As of December 2024, the iOS 18.2 update has introduced Genmoji and Image Playground, plus ChatGPT integration to Siri. This follows the initial round of Apple Intelligence features arriving earlier in October, including Writing Tools and notification summaries. More are on the cards for 2025, including the conversational upgrade to Siri, but that might be for the iOS 18.4 update, rather than iOS 18.3.
Is Apple Intelligence safe?
While it’s fair to have some privacy concerns surrounding Apple Intelligence and its AI features, Apple is doing everything it can to make things as safe as possible. All the AI tools run on the phone, so while Siri may have access to your messages and queries, Apple isn’t taking and storing any of that information. The same goes for any images you create in Image Playground.
Does Apple Intelligence work?
While we’ve seen no major reports of issues with most of the new Apple Intelligence features, it’s clear that the AI-powered summarizing tech still needs some work. Towards the end of 2024 and the beginning of 2025, multiple organizations reported on iPhones misinterpreting news stories and sending users incorrect alterts. Apple has stated that it’s working on a solution, but we’ve not seen any other updates from the tech brand yet.
With that, you’re up to date in terms of what to expect from Apple Intelligence. If you want to prepare for the new iPhone 16 and Apple Intelligence, check out our guides to the best iPhone power banks.