I had one iPhone 14 Pro Max since its launch two years ago. Like most of us, I regret to admit that I use my phone most of the time when I’m not working or sleeping. I’m also a big fan of AI generated tool, word chatbot ARRIVE image generatoralthough i am wary of them potential risk and shortcomings. With all this in mind, you’d think I’d upgrade my current smartphone to the iPhone 16 with its new Apple Intelligence features, but I’m still not convinced.
Also: Why You Shouldn’t Buy the iPhone 16 for Apple Intelligence
There are compelling reasons to upgrade to one. iPhone 16The iPhone 16, for example, is expected to have the largest iPhone display ever, with thinner bezels and a taller design so the screen can stretch beyond 6.9 inches.
But even with all of this Apple Intelligence With the features we know about and considering Apple will likely reserve new features for its September 9 event, I’m still not entirely convinced to upgrade to the new iPhone. Although a few things might sway me to do so.
1. We need a clearer timeline for Apple Intelligence
If you’re waiting for the iPhone 16 to launch so you can get a new iPhone with all the fancy AI features Apple introduced this summer, you’ll have to wait. Right now, we’re not sure if the iPhone 16 lineup will launch with any Apple Intelligence features. However, we do know that Apple Intelligence will launch with iOS 18.1But the launch timeline is still unclear. I expect the iPhone 16 series to include at least some new AI features to entice consumers to buy new iPhones at launch, but that has yet to be confirmed.
Also: Why Apple’s Best New AI Features at WWDC Will Be Boring (And I’m Glad They Are)
Most of the more exciting Apple Intelligence features that Apple has introduced in WWDC Conference in June is said to launch later in 2025, which is unlikely to be a convincing factor to spend more money on a new phone in September 2024. If you’re looking for features like Genmoji, Image Playground, and ChatGPT integration with Siri, you’ll have to wait until 2025.
2. Uncertainty about device performance
There are many unknowns surrounding how Apple Intelligence features will work on iPhone 15 Pro, Maximumand the new iPhone 16 lineup. As Apple continues to push for consumer privacy, it has suggested that most of its AI features will run on-device. However, running AI models on-device, even the smaller ones Apple plans to run, could slow down the performance of smartphones.
Also: 6 Reasons Why iOS 18 Makes the iPhone 16 a Must-Upgrade for Me
Apple Intelligence requires at least 8GB of RAM and an Apple A17 or M1 silicon processor or newer. While the iPhone 16 lineup is expected to run on the A18 Bionic chip and have between 8GB and 12GB of RAM across four different models, concerns about how much stress the CPU will endure are well-founded. AI capabilities can also overheat iPhones and drain batteries fasterpotentially reducing the life of the equipment.
3. iPhone 16 is not a good enough upgrade
The iPhone 14 is a major upgrade over the iPhone 13, finally ditching the notch in favor of a dynamic island, bringing always-on and standby with the Pro models, and more customization options with iOS 17. The iPhone 15, however, is an iterative upgrade. While the iPhone 16 is set to be a major upgrade again, most of that is down to Apple’s intelligence features.
Also: iPhone 15 review: Why I recommend this model even to ‘Pro’ users in 2024
But the iPhone 16’s Apple Intelligence features (when they launch) are certainly modest compared to ChatGPT with GPT-4o and other existing AI tools. The other tools can currently do most of what Apple Intelligence promises; the difference is that the latter will run on the device and be personalized to each user.
4. iPhone 16 Pro is more expensive… But is it worth it?
That’s right; the new iPhone 16 Pro is expected to be more expensive than the iPhone 15 Pro, so be prepared to spend more money on a new iPhone that’s still expected to have many of the same features as the old one (at first).
The base iPhone 16 and 16 Plus are expected to be priced the same as the iPhone 15, starting at $799. The Pro models are rumored to start at $1,099, likely due to the addition of more RAM, upgraded cameras, and new features like larger screens.
Also: I’ve been using my iPhone 15 Pro without a case for a year. Here’s what it looks like now
Of course, we still don’t know everything Apple has planned for the iPhone 16 lineup, so I’ll probably regret it on September 9 and spend the money on Apple’s latest iPhone.
The iPhone 14 Pro Max is not compatible with Apple Intelligence, and charging via my Lightning port still works just as well as it did when I bought it two years ago. Amid rumors of hardware upgrades for the iPhone 16, I still can’t find a reason to pay over $1,000 for a device that seems like more of a minor upgrade than anything else.
