Apple Intelligence, which should’ve come out of the box with the new iPhone 16 series, at least the way Apple advertised the device, is set to roll out across multiple iOS updates, hence a staggered release of AI features. Here’s how the rollout is expected to progress:
iOS 18.1
Expected release: Mid-October 2024
Apple Intelligence
- Initial Apple Intelligence support
- Writing tools for rewriting, summarizing, and proofreading text
- Notification summaries for various apps
- Suggested replies in Messages and Mail
- “Clean Up” tool in Photos app
- New “Reduce Interruptions” Focus mode
Other features:
- Redesigned connectivity section in the Control Center
- Query suggestions in the Type to Siri interface
iOS 18.1 will be compatible with iPhone 15 Pro models and all iPhone 16 models, initially supporting only U.S. English.
iOS 18.2
Expected release: December 2024
Apple Intelligence
- ChatGPT integration with Siri
- Image Playground for generating images
- Genmoji for custom emoji creation (this could be the exact date)
- Apple Intelligence expansion to more English-speaking countries
Other highlights:
- Notification prioritization on the lock screen
- New email app interface
This update will bring much-anticipated ChatGPT integration.
iOS 18.3
Expected release: January 2025
Apple Intelligence
- The potential inclusion of some Siri enhancements originally planned for iOS 18.4
- Possible expansion of language support for Apple Intelligence features
iOS 18.4
Expected release: March 2025 (Close to iPhone SE 4)
Apple Intelligence
- Enhanced Siri 2.0 with personal context and on-screen awareness
- Deeper per-app controls for Siri
- Support for additional languages (Chinese, French, Japanese, and Spanish)
- Phone call recording and transcription (possibly moved from earlier versions)
This update is set to be a major milestone in Apple’s AI strategy. It will significantly boost Siri’s capabilities and expand language support.
The gradual rollout of Apple Intelligence features across these updates is an unprecedented approach for Apple, potentially testing user patience but allowing for thorough development and testing of each feature set.
You can read here for a more informative report on Apple Intelligence.