WWDC Showdown: To Wait Or Not To Wait For iPhone 16?

As we get closer to Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2024, slated to kick off on June 10, the buzz surrounding big generative AI unveiling is getting louder.

Tim Cook-led tech giant is expected to launch its major generative AI push, introducing new features for its flagship device iPhone.

Understandably, this development has excited iPhone users eagerly waiting for Apple’s foray into the generative AI world. 

However, the question is, do all iPhone users get the same generative AI functionality or will some be left behind?

From iOS 18 To Siri Revamp: Everything We Know About New Upgrades

As we have reported before, Apple’s upcoming iPhone software update, iOS 18, is expected to introduce significant AI features. This includes features such as news summaries, voice memo transcriptions, photo editing tools, improved app recommendations, and enhanced calendar event automation. 

Under Project Greymatter, Apple will also be integrating generative AI into apps like Safari, Photos, Spotlight Search, and Notes. Moreover, suggested replies for emails and texts are also expected. Unique emojis generated from text messages could also debut.

Those who are eagerly waiting to use Siri for more than just yelling at it for getting the instructions wrong could see significant upgrades. 

The voice assistant will reportedly tap into large language models, enabling it to respond more naturally and perform complex tasks. An AI-focused App Store may also be on the cards.

In addition, Apple has reportedly closed a deal with OpenAI to integrate ChatGPT into iOS 18, which the tech giant will possibly announce at WWDC. 

Should you consider upgrading your iPhone today or wait until September when Apple is expected to launch its next-generation smartphone, the iPhone 16 series?

Old iPhones Will Possibly Be Unable To Use Some New AI Features

According to the available rumors and leaks, Apple intends to offer a mix of features processed both on-device and in the cloud. On-device AI is more secure and private since data remains on the device. However, it requires more powerful processors. 

Therefore, only simpler features may run on-device. For more complex tasks, users will have to rely on cloud resources. 

Previously, a report suggested that on-device AI may require an iPhone 15 Pro or iPhone 15 Pro Max, or potentially the new iPhone 16 models. The older versions would likely rely on cloud-based support. 

The next iPhone processor from Apple, reportedly named A18, is also expected to provide improved AI performance for the iPhone 16 series.

However, Your iPhone Already Has Some AI-Powered Features

Although Apple has been silent and somewhat vague about its generative AI plans, other forms of AI have significantly influenced the iPhone for years. In fact, AI has powered essential iPhone features in popular apps like Camera, Photos, and Siri long before OpenAI’s ChatGPT gained worldwide attention in November 2022.

For instance, Personal Voice, which was introduced in iOS 17, uses on-device machine learning to help individuals at risk of speech loss replicate their voice by reading 150 phrases aloud. This creates a synthetic version for use in FaceTime and compatible apps.

In the same update, Apple also improved autocorrect, allowing curse words and providing more accurate corrections with iOS 17's new transformer language model. 

In 2021, Apple leveraged AI to digitize the text in your photos with the feature Live Text, allowing users to copy and paste easily. AI also powers many iPhone camera features, like Portrait Mode's bokeh effect and Cinematic Mode's dynamic focus. 

One major component is Siri. Apple’s voice assistant was the first in the market, but over the years it has not lived up to its hype. Siri, like Amazon’s Alexa, is an example of an AI application, but works differently than ChatGPT. 

Final Call

So, for now, it seems, it would be better for users to wait until WWDC is over, to get a clear picture of which devices are best for upcoming generative AI features. If you intend to use the iPhone generative AI features at its full potential, jumping the gun today may end up being a regretful investment. 

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