6
iOS 18 is reported to be Apple's biggest update for the iPhone as the company is planning a range of new AI-related functionalities on a system level. There have been numerous reports highlighting how the iPhone could benefit from generative AI and what advancements it could bring to Siri and Spotlight Search. While the company is gradually expanding its efforts to bring the technology to the older and newer models of the iPhone, a prominent analyst claims that the first wave of AI features will not rely on AI cloud servers on the iPhone.
iOS 18's AI utilities are expected to be handled on-device, but some features could be reserved for the future
In the Q&A section of his latest Power On newsletter, Mark Gurman from Bloomberg claims that Apple's initial AI features for the iPhone will not rely on cloud servers, which means that the iPhone will be responsible for the on-device processing of the soon-to-be-released utilities. The company is slated to host its WWDC 2024 event on June 10, where it will see fit to announce iOS 18, watchOS 11, macOS 15, and additional software updates to developers and the general public with a boatload of new AI integrations.
Gurman claims that the initial wave of AI properties in iOS 18 will be handled solely by software on the iPhone. This means that the iPhone 15 lineup and the older compatible models will be able to utilize the new technology without any hardware restrictions. However, since Apple will debut the iPhone 16 lineup with a more powerful Neural Engine, we could see some reliance on the new chip for iOS 18's forthcoming AI capabilities. From WWDC in June to the launch of the iPhone 16 lineup in September, developers would have ample time to test the new technology and how it can be further improved with deeper integration.
The recent report highlights that there is no cloud component involved in handling Apple's upcoming large language model. Note that the company is working to secure deals to purchase AI servers, and the technology could shift its approach in the future, as it was previously reported by industry analysts Ming-Chi Kuo and Jeff Pu.
As mentioned, Apple will announce iOS 18 alongside a handful of additional software updates for its entire product line on June 10 at its annual WWDC event. While major new utilities are expected, the company will not include its AI-powered chatbot in the mix. However, once the technology is ready, the company could offer its product in the market, which will compete against ChatGPT and Google Gemini. Do you think Apple will offer different AI enhancements depending on the iPhone model?
