Sad news for first-batch iPhone 16 buyers

Apple Intelligence will not appear on the initial release of iOS 18, because iPhone manufacturers need more time to fix system stability bugs.

Apple Intelligence has pushed back the official launch time, so it is likely that the first iPhone 16 will not have these features. Photo: 9to5macs.

According to Bloomberg, Apple Intelligence features are likely to launch later than expected. As a result, it won’t be able to appear in the upcoming iPhone and iPad software upgrades due to Apple’s need for more time to fix the bug.

Sources from some insiders said that Apple plans to roll out Apple Intelligence to users as part of a software update in October. This means that AI features will be available a few weeks after the official release of iOS 18 and iPadOS 18, and it is likely that iPhone 16 buyers will not be able to use Apple Intelligence right away.

However, the iPhone maker will let software developers test Apple Intelligence in early August through iOS 18.1 and iPadOS 18.1 beta. This strategy usually doesn’t come up because Apple rarely releases previews, and developers need to wait for the update to be released to the public.

To ensure a smooth release of Apple Intelligence to users, Apple needs support from developers to solve software issues and test at scale. In addition, many Apple Intelligence features have been unstable, causing the iPhone manufacturer to postpone the official launch time.

Currently, Apple Intelligence possesses a range of outstanding features including priority for key notifications, website summaries, voice notes, improved writing, Siri enhancements, as well as OpenAI’s ChatGPT integration. Even if Apple Intelligence launches alongside iOS 18.1 and iPadOS 18.1, it will still lack some features, such as the ability to use on-device data to help query and provide accurate context.

Apple is planning to roll out all Apple Intelligence features through multiple iOS 18 updates by the end of 2024 and in the first half of 2025, Bloomberg reported. In addition to the iPhone and iPad, Apple Intelligence also appears on the Mac as part of the macOS Sequoia upgrade.

Apple is betting on Apple Intelligence to help better compete in the AI space. Because the iPhone 15 series of 2023 does not create much of a hit with users, Apple expects the addition of artificial intelligence to the iPhone 16 will stimulate customers to change devices.