What is Apple Intelligence? iPhone AI Features

Apple is the latest company to jump into the hyper-competitive AI arena with the upcoming launch of its artificial intelligence platform.‍

‍Fittingly named Apple Intelligence, the technology will deliver productivity and privacy-focused features that promise to make your iPhone smarter than ever.‍

‍Apple AI will allow your iPhone to create AI-generated images, draft messages, and summarize the most important information from your emails and texts — as long as you have a compatible device like an iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 16, or iPhone 16 Pro model. And, yes, Siri will receive some long-awaited improvements, too.‍

‍In this article, we'll highlight the most promising Apple Intelligence features. But first, let's address the elephant in the room — the Apple AI release date. Despite expectations that the launch of Apple AI would coincide with the iPhone 16 release, fueling a super upgrade cycle for the company, Apple AI was not ready for prime time on September 13, 2024, at its “Glowtime” event. ‍

‍During the highly anticipated and much-watched live stream, Apple hyped its new AI advancements without providing exact dates for its arrival, instead saying they will be rolling out later this year. Here at Navi, we're keeping a close eye on the timeline and will update this article as soon as an official Apple AI release date is announced. In the meantime, let's dive into the Apple AI features, which will hopefully be coming soon to select iPhone models noted above.

What Is Apple Intelligence?

‍First revealed at Apple WWDC 2024, Apple Intelligence is an upcoming AI platform running on Apple silicon that can rewrite, proofread, and summarize text, understand and create images and language, and streamline day-to-day tasks. ‍

‍Apple CEO Tim Cook said Apple Intelligence will combine "generative AI with a user's personal context to deliver truly helpful intelligence." It will also use personal information in a “completely private and secure way to help users do the things that matter most to them." Understanding personal context will be a big part of what drives Apple Intelligence. ‍

‍That means whether you're drafting an email or organizing your photo library, Apple Intelligence will aim to simplify the process or offer suggestions while keeping your data secure. It will also supercharge Siri to handle everything from summarizing messages to managing notifications and other new features.‍

‍While Apple Intelligence features will be exclusive to Apple devices, it will enter a crowded market with offerings like Google AI, Meta AI, Microsoft AI, and Samsung's Galaxy AI. ‍

‍However, iPhone users can still access versions of Google AI, Meta AI, and Microsoft AI through the companies' respective iOS apps (the Google app for Google Gemini AI, Facebook and Instagram for Meta AI, and the Copilot app for Microsoft AI). ‍

‍Samsung's Galaxy AI remains exclusive to Galaxy smartphones, tablets, and laptops. However, iPhone owners can test out its features by downloading the “Try Galaxy” web app. 

How to Use Apple Intelligence?

‍Because of the system-wide scope that Apple Intelligence will be implemented across Apple devices — from your photos library to your email inbox on iPhone, iPad and Mac — users will be able to access Apple Intelligence features in a variety of ways. ‍

‍Once Apple Intelligence is released and enabled on a compatible Apple device (more on that below), you can access some of its features by clicking on the Apple Intelligence icon where it’s available. ‍

‍It’s the colorful, circular icon that looks like a flower that can be seen under “Writing Tools” in the following image:

‍Apple Intelligence’s Writing Tools features will be accessible wherever you can write within the device. ‍

‍Other times, Apple Intelligence features can be accessed via a Siri request, within the Photos app,  through a keyboard or other accompanying menu, or displayed automatically in a window or notification.‍

‍Additionally, when Apple Intelligence is working with Siri, Apple designed a special “glowing light” to appear around the edges of a screen to show that it's activated.

When Is Apple Intelligence Coming Out?

‍Despite the initial plan for Apple Intelligence to debut with an English-language beta in September, alongside the launch of iOS 18, iPadOS 18, macOS Sequoia, and iPhone 16,  it now looks like it won't arrive until the release of iOS 18.1 in October, at the earliest. And even then, not all Apple AI features will be immediately available.‍

‍Last year, iOS 17 was released on September 18, followed by iOS 17.1 on October 25. Expect a somewhat similar schedule this year.‍

‍Bloomberg notes that Siri's AI enhancements might not be available until the spring of 2025. 

Will Apple Intelligence Work on iPhone 14 or Older iPhones?

‍As we mentioned, Apple Intelligence features will arrive on iPhones sometime after iOS 18 is released. However, not all iPhones compatible with the software update will receive it, particularly older models.‍

‍Apple confirmed that only iPhones with the A17 Pro chip or later will work with the platform. That includes only the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max and any iPhone 16 model, like the standard iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max.

If you have an older iPhone but want to use Apple's AI features, be sure to try Navi's free and unbiased Phone Deal Finder below to find the best new iPhone offers you qualify for based on your criteria. Also, check out our roundups of the latest iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 16 deals across top wireless carriers.

What iPads and Macs Will Have Apple Intelligence Features?

If you own other devices in the Apple ecosystem, here's a quick rundown of the other products that will receive Apple Intelligence:

• iPad Pro with M1 and later
• iPad Air with M1 and later
• MacBook Air with M1 and later
• MacBook Pro with M1 and later
• iMac with M1 and later
• Mac mini with M1 and later
• Mac Studio with M1 Max and later
• Mac Pro with M2 Ultra

How Much Will Apple Intelligence Cost?

Apple says Apple Intelligence will be free and only available on compatible iOS, iPadOS, and Mac devices. 

However, Bloomberg reported that Apple may one day consider turning its AI services into subscription plans, perhaps by offering an "Apple Intelligence+" or enterprise option. 

There are signs that other companies will also seek to generate revenue from subscribers with their AI models. Samsung hinted that its Galaxy AI platform will only be accessible for free until late 2025.

What Are the Key Apple Intelligence Features, So Far?

Here's a look at the new AI features coming to the iPhone, like its grammar and writing tools, enhanced notifications, advanced email management, and redesigned photo and video search capabilities.

Apple Intelligence and ChatGPT Integration

Apple is integrating ChatGPT with Apple Intelligence into iOS, iPadOS, and macOS so you can access its extensive toolset without hopping between apps. This includes automatic image generation, which can create pictures based on your text prompts. That does not mean that Apple Intelligence is operated by ChatPGT — it is just one of the third-party tools at its disposal. 

Siri is getting smarter, too, and it can use ChatGPT's technology to answer questions or perform other tasks. 

Apple's system-wide Writing Tools feature will also use ChatGPT to help you craft emails, messages, and creative projects. We'll discuss more about that below. 

Rewriting and Proofreading Tools

With "Writing Tools," Apple Intelligence offers various ways to enhance your writing across applications, such as Mail, Notes, Pages, and third-party apps. 

Here's what to expect:

• Rewrite: The Rewrite feature can refine your text, whether for a blog post or a casual text to a friend or loved one. You can choose different versions of your writing to better suit your audience, with options like Friendly, Professional, and Concise.
• Proofread: This tool checks grammar, word choice, and sentence structure, offering suggestions and explanations to help polish your text.
• Summarize: Need a quick recap? This feature provides a concise summary of longer texts in different formats, making it easier to understand information quickly.

Enhanced Email Management

Notifications get a makeover with Priority Notifications, which show your most important updates, like emails about upcoming meetings or flights, at the top of your notifications list. 

The Reduce Interruptions feature is a new option in the Focus settings that helps you concentrate by filtering out other non-essential alerts.

Transcribing and Summarizing Features

With the Notes and Phone apps, you can now record, transcribe, and summarize audio using Apple Intelligence.

When you start recording during a call, everyone gets a heads-up, and after the call ends, Apple Intelligence steps in to create a transcription of the conversation and a summary of all the key points you discussed. 

Image Creation Features

Image Playground‍

Apple Intelligence's new Image Playground feature adds an entertaining twist to image creation. Available in Messages and other apps, the tool lets you design images based on pictures from your personal photo library or messages.

You can create images based on a few styles, such as Animation, Illustration, or Sketch, and add accessories and costumes. All you need to do is type in a description of the image you want, and AI will do the rest. 

Using Image Playground in the Messages app will also allow you to create images of your friends, and Apple Intelligence will give you suggestions based on your recent conversations. 

If you're using the Notes app, Image Playground can turn sketches into lifelike images or use text to create an illustration based on the words you've used. ‍

Genmoji Creation 

With Genmoji, you can create personalized emojis by typing a description or using photos of friends and family. Genmojis can be sent in text threads or as stickers within the Messages app.

Photo Library Features

Smart Search and Clean Up 

Apple Intelligence makes searching through your photo library more intuitive.

Now, you can type in a request to find specific images or videos in the Photos app, like "Mom at the Park" or "Jimmy at the Zoo." You can also use the same search feature to find specific clips within videos, so you won't have to spend time scrubbing through them.

The new Clean Up tool can also remove distracting background objects from your photos, allowing you to focus on what you like the most in the picture. 

Apple also revealed that you’ll be able to make a custom “memory movie” of clips based on a description you provide the AI.  

As mentioned, Apple Intelligence will also have access to ChatGPT’s image generation features. 

Personalized Memories‍

With Memories, you can create custom photo stories by typing a description. Apple Intelligence will then select the best photos and videos, arrange them into a story-like narrative, and even suggest music from Apple Music to enhance your trip down memory lane.

Improved Siri

Siri will receive a significant upgrade from Apple Intelligence. It will now be more contextually aware and able to handle complex queries — something Siri users may already know it has long struggled with.

But Siri will now be able to follow up on previous requests, understand and act on content shown within apps, and even switch between text and voice inputs.

Siri will also be able to perform various tasks, from scheduling emails to finding specific articles or photos. These improvements will be integrated system-wide so Siri can provide relevant and personalized responses based on your actions regardless of the app you are using. 

Privacy and Security Features

With Private Cloud Compute, Apple says it can ensure your personal data remains exclusively yours while using Apple Intelligence.

Apple explains that it prioritized on-device processing for the iPhone to keep data decentralized and secure from centralized attacks. However, some complex AI tasks require extra computational muscle. AI platforms like Apple Intelligence often use the cloud to tap into this additional power. 

But Apple Intelligence operates differently here. 

When cloud processing is necessary, Private Cloud Compute uses sophisticated and encrypted security measures to ensure no one can access the information — not even its own engineers. Apple published a detailed summary of how it works here. 

How to Turn on Apple Intelligence Features on iPhone

The beta version of Apple Intelligence features will be widely available on compatible devices starting with iOS 18.1 in October, as long as your device and Siri are set to a supported language, like English. 

Once you update to iOS 18.1, you must opt into the service to use it. 

To do so, go to Settings, tap Apple Intelligence & Siri, and select Join the Apple Intelligence Waitlist. According to the company, activation can happen within a few hours, but depending on demand, it might take a bit longer. 

You’ll get a notification as soon as it’s ready, and once activated, the on-device models will download automatically, so you can start using the new Apple Intelligence features right away.

How to Turn Off Apple Intelligence

Apple has not confirmed whether there will be an option to turn off Apple Intelligence once it’s enabled. However, like Siri, you’ll likely be able to customize certain features within the Settings app. 

The Bottom Line

The company’s collection of Apple Intelligence features is set to transform how you interact with your iPhone and other Apple devices by integrating powerful AI features into its most popular apps.

The platform may be the magic wand that simplifies your daily life with its advanced writing tools, intelligent email management system, and enhanced Siri capabilities. By focusing on on-device processing and privacy, Apple Intelligence also sets itself apart from other offerings on the market. 

As promising as Apple AI sounds, it’s not here yet. If you’re eager to bring AI features to your iPhone now, you can download third-party apps from the Apple App Store to access AI features from companies like ChatGPT, Google, and Microsoft. 

If you prefer not to wait for Apple Intelligence’s official release date, you can make the switch to an Android smartphone like the Google Pixel 9 Pro to access Google’s impressive and ever-improving AI features. 

Frequently Asked Questions

When can I use Apple Intelligence?

Apple Intelligence can be used starting in October 2024 with the beta release of iOS 18.1. More tools and enhancements are expected to roll out over the coming months.

What does Apple Intelligence do?

Apple Intelligence, Apple's new AI platform, delivers smarter features focused on productivity and privacy, enhancing your iPhone's abilities to draft messages, summarize emails, and generate images. If you have a compatible device like the iPhone 15 Pro or iPhone 16, you’ll get these tools and enhanced Siri capabilities.

Is Apple Intelligence free?

Yes, Apple Intelligence will be free, but only on select devices like the iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 16, and newer models. While it promises exciting AI-powered features like smarter Siri interactions, message drafting, and photo management, you'll need to wait until iOS 18.1 or later for its rollout.