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ZDNET’s key takeaways
- Apple will launch its iPhone 17 lineup on Tuesday, September 9.
- The new devices will include new Apple Intelligence features via iOS 26.
- Users can also access the latest iOS 26 AI features in older models.
While Apple is holding its big iPhone 17 launch event on Tuesday, where it will launch its latest and greatest smartphones yet, if you are just considering purchasing the latest devices to access the new AI features dropping in iOS 26, you’ll want to reconsider.
Also: Apple iPhone 17 event live updates: The biggest rumors on AirPods, Apple Watch Series 11, more
While the iPhone 17 will be able to run the latest experiences best because of its most advanced specs, prior models can also access the full suite of Apple Intelligence features. All you need is one of the iPhone models with the A17 Pro chip or higher, which includes older models that could save you some cash.
To find the full list of features and compatible phones, keep reading below.
What new AI features come with iOS 26?
iOS 26 includes a suite of AI features guaranteed to level up your everyday iPhone experience. While the AI features may not be the flashiest, they provide assistance in practical ways across your apps, including photos, messages, calls, and more. A highlight of the new AI features includes:
- Visual Intelligence
- Real-time translation
- AutoMix in Apple Music
- Shortcuts using Apple Intelligence
- Hold Assist
- Spatial Photos
- Workout Buddy
For a more comprehensive list of the features, including descriptions of what they all do for you, you can visit the article here: 7 helpful AI features launching in iOS 26 next week.
Which iPhone models support these new AI features?
You’ll need at least an iPhone 15 Pro (or a newer model) to use these features.
Requiring Apple’s latest hardware to experience these new features may seem like planned obsolescence or a money grab, and it’s probably a bit of both. But there’s also the hardware aspect, with Apple claiming that the provision is due to the processing hardware (such as RAM and memory) needed to support its new AI features — especially for tasks that require on-device processing.
Processing AI tasks on-device offers two key benefits: It keeps information more secure and ensures less latency. Apple claims that not all iPhones, especially older models, have the processing power to handle those tasks. The new AI features will rely on both cloud-based and on-device processing, depending on the complexity of the task.
Specifically, Apple has said these tasks require at least Apple’s A17 Pro chip, currently found only in the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max. That means the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus, while released simultaneously as the Pro models, won’t support the AI upgrades, as those phones only have Apple’s A16 Bionic SoC. To enjoy the iPhone 16 lineup features, A18 and A18 Pro chips, making them the best suited for the full AI experience.
If you don’t own the iPhone 15 Pro or later and don’t plan on upgrading anytime soon, don’t worry; you may still get to experience some Apple Intelligence features, specifically those that run via the cloud. If you want the full experience, however, you may want to start preparing to purchase a new iPhone.
Which Mac and iPad models support Apple Intelligence?
The good news is that if you are a Mac or iPad user, you won’t need the newest model. To use the AI features on a Mac or iPad, your device will need at least an M1 chip; considering Apple is currently manufacturing M4 iPads and M3 Macs, many users with older devices should have some wiggle room to test-drive the latest AI features.
