Apple Intelligence delay could negatively impact iPhone 16 sales
Apple Intelligence features are the main attraction for the next major iOS update. The iOS 18 update will come with multiple new artificial intelligence (AI) features, but a new report claims that not all of these features will be available at launch. This would negatively impact the sales of the iPhone 16 series as Apple is reportedly banking on these AI features to entice people to buy the upcoming smartphones. ChatGPT-related features will reportedly not be available with the stable release of iOS 18.
Apple Intelligence features may be released in phases
According to a report by Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the Cupertino-based tech giant plans to roll out Apple Intelligence features in phases. This means some features will be available with the release of iOS 18, while others won’t be available until 2025.
Some analysts have reportedly suggested a “super cycle” for the iPhone 16. A super cycle refers to increased sales of a device due to the addition of important or sought-after features or capabilities. Industry veterans believe that Apple Intelligence could create a similar effect on iPhone 16 sales, meaning that more people would either switch to the iPhone ecosystem or upgrade their existing devices to iPhone 16 models.
However, Gurman argues that this is unlikely due to Apple’s phased approach to releasing AI features and the lack of major hardware upgrades. The iPhone 16 series is expected to bring camera improvements, a new processor, a new Capture button and not much more. As a result, Apple Intelligence will become a major driver of sales.
According to Gurman, features like writing tools, notification summarization, removing objects from images, phone call transcriptions, and more will be available when iOS 18 rolls out, but some key features, like ChatGPT integration and the revamped Siri, are not expected to be available until later this year or early 2025.
Furthermore, Apple Intelligence will not be fully available in the EU and China due to policy restrictions in the respective countries. The report also highlights that the majority of consumers are not well-versed in AI and may not be as interested in it as the iPhone maker hopes.
It’s still too early to say whether Apple Intelligence can help the company sell more devices, though. The tech giant is all set to host its “It’s Glowtime” event on Monday, where it’s expected to formally introduce the iPhone 16 series, along with other devices. Only when the upcoming iPhones go on sale will it be possible to gauge whether consumers embrace the idea of AI that may not immediately arrive when they take their devices out of the box.
