Highlights

• iOS 18 AI features exclusive to iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max models.
• Non-Pro iPhone 15 users miss out on advanced AI capabilities.
• Apple’s decision sparks backlash among recent iPhone buyers.
• Competitor Samsung offers broader AI support across older models.

In a move that has left many iPhone users feeling short-changed, Apple has dropped a bombshell – the much-hyped AI capabilities of iOS 18 will be exclusive to the top-tier iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max.

This controversial decision means millions of Apple fans, including those who recently splurged on the £799 iPhone 15, will miss out on the marquee features of the latest software update.

No Apple Intelligence for Older iPhone Users

Apple’s justification for this jarring divide?

Apparently, the 6GB of RAM in the non-Pro iPhone 15 models is insufficient to handle the AI wizardry.

But this excuse rings hollow when you consider that Apple could have easily equipped the standard iPhone 15 with more memory, just as they did with the Pro variants.

It’s not as if Apple’s engineering team was caught off guard by the AI demands of iOS 18.

The tech giant’s actions reek of a blatant upsell tactic, capitalising on software to push users towards the pricier Pro lineup.

While maximising profits is the goal of any business, doing so at the expense of recent iPhone 15 buyers feels like a slap in the face.

These customers have shelled out hundreds of pounds for Apple’s latest flagship, only to be denied its most compelling features a few months later.

Competitors Ramping Up AI

What’s even more galling is that rival Samsung has taken a far more consumer-friendly approach.

The Korean tech titan has not only promised up to seven years of software support for its Galaxy flagships but has also extended many of the AI capabilities of its latest One UI release to older Galaxy models like the S22.

In a shocking turn of events, Samsung now appears more generous than Apple when it comes to keeping devices updated with meaningful features.

While Apple defenders may argue that the company is merely exercising its prerogative as a hardware vendor, this line of reasoning falls flat.

By explicitly tying advanced AI functionality to the iPhone 15 Pro, Apple is effectively upselling users on software – an area where it has traditionally taken an egalitarian stance across its product range.

A16 Bionic Almost As Powerful as A17 Pro

The situation is further compounded by the fact that the A16 Bionic chip powering the standard iPhone 15 is no slouch.

With only a slight deficit in neural processing power compared to the A17 in the Pro models, there’s no concrete reason why Apple couldn’t have extended at least some AI capabilities to the non-Pro iPhone 15 variants.

In the end, Apple’s decision to create an AI monopoly within its own ecosystem is a bewildering one.

Not only does it risk alienating a significant portion of its user base, but it also opens the company up to further accusations of anti-competitive practices – something it can ill afford as it faces mounting regulatory scrutiny.

As the iOS 18 rollout continues, Apple finds itself at a crossroads.

Will it double down on its divisive strategy, potentially driving disgruntled users towards Android?

Or will it heed the backlash and extend at least some AI capabilities to the broader iPhone family?

Only time will tell, but one thing is clear: Apple’s handling of this situation has left a sour taste in the mouths of many once-loyal customers.

FAQs

Which iPhone models will receive the new AI features in iOS 18?

The new AI features in iOS 18 will be exclusive to the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max models.

Why are non-Pro iPhone 15 users excluded from these features?

Apple claims the 6GB RAM in non-Pro models is insufficient for the AI capabilities, though critics argue it’s a deliberate upsell tactic.

How has the tech community reacted to Apple’s decision?

The decision has sparked backlash, with many users feeling short-changed and accusing Apple of pushing customers towards more expensive models.

How does Samsung handle AI feature updates for its devices?

Samsung extends many of its AI capabilities to older Galaxy models and promises up to seven years of software support for its flagship devices.

Is there a significant performance difference between the A16 and A17 chips?

The A16 Bionic chip in the standard iPhone 15 is only slightly less powerful than the A17 in the Pro models, raising questions about the necessity of limiting AI features.

Also Read: Apple’s iPhone 16 to Revolutionize with AI Integration in iOS 18

Also Read: Apple’s iOS 18 Is Likely to Be Its Most Ambitious Update Yet: Mark Gurman

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