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iPhone 15 Pro users can test Apple’s AI features, but beware of bugs

iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max users are Apple’s AI guinea pigs, with the iOS 18.1 developer beta introducing ChatGPT-enhanced Siri and more.

Custom image for iPhone 15 Pro AI features story with an AI generated cat pic on one side of the screen and the Apple logo on the other

iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max users can now get an early preview of Apple’s AI features, thanks to the new iOS 18.1 developer beta. The official release is still months away, but this beta will enable developers to get to grips with the fresh operating system before it arrives. Still, we don’t advise trying it out just yet. Apple might produce the cleanest software in the world, but early versions can still be subject to bugs.

Just yesterday we reported that Apple is delaying the full iOS 18.1 update until after the launch of the iPhone 16 series. This means that the brand’s new AI features, dubbed Apple Intelligence, won’t be available on launch. The iOS 18.1 developer beta rollout doesn’t mean that delay isn’t still happening. However, its arrival less than two months after the first iOS 18 developer beta suggests that we should see the release of Apple Intelligence via an iPhone update before the end of October, if not sooner.

The launch of iOS 18.1 is a big deal, as it’s Apple’s first attempt at AI. This follows software innovation from the best Samsung phones and Google Pixel phones of 2024. Apple Intelligence will introduce a bunch of new features, from custom-generated emoji, or genmoji, to much-needed updates for Siri. This Siri revamp includes ChatGPT functionality, with Apple working alongside OpenAI to bring the much-lauded AI model to mobile. Not all the new features from WWDC 2024 are part of this beta, but you will be able to check out the enhanced Siri and the new Writing Tools.

While the arrival of the iOS 18.1 developer beta is exciting, we would caution against installing it on your main device right now. Early iOS betas are often riddled with bugs. The whole point of the developer beta is for the creators behind the best mobile games and apps to test the software and report any issues to Apple. If you’re still committed to giving it a go, it’s best to back up your data before visiting the Apple Developer site and signing up for the beta program.

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Despite the iOS 18.1 developer beta’s arrival, it’s still not clear exactly when the iPhone 16 launch date will be coming. However, reports suggest the new devices are shipping with powerful AI-ready A18 chipsets, which should also make them the best gaming iPhones by far. As ever, we’re keeping an eye out for developments from Apple, with a launch event date reveal anticipated any day now.