What is Apple Intelligence?

AI can be transformative to the smartphone experience. Whether it’s making existing tasks easier to do or introducing new features, artificial intelligence redefines the ‘smart’ in smartphone.
Some brands have their own AI with distinctly different feature sets. We’re here to explore Apple’s version of smartphone AI – Apple Intelligence – and what it offers to iPhone users.
If you want to experiment with Apple Intelligence, we have a diverse range of iPhone handsets to choose from.
Which phones support Apple Intelligence?
Apple Intelligence is available on:
• iPhone 16
• iPhone 16 Plus
• iPhone 16 Pro
• iPhone 16 Pro Max
• iPhone 15 Pro
• iPhone 15 Pro Max
When was Apple Intelligence released?
Apple Intelligence was released as a beta test in early October 2024, followed by its full release in the UK in December 2024
What features does Apple Intelligence have?
The three pillars that form Apple Intelligence are its writing tools, image features, and enhancements to Siri. Several of these features have been released over time as part of Apple’s iOS 18 updates.
Writing features
When writing out text, you can ask Apple Intelligence to proofread what you’ve written or even rewrite it in a specific tone, be it friendly or professional. You can even adjust the layout into a list or table if you want the text to be presented a certain way.
Summarising your notifications and messages is also easier with Apple Intelligence. If you’ve lost track of a group chat or email thread, the iPhone’s onboard AI can provide a summary of what has been said without needing to go through them all yourself.
Image features
One of the most useful features we highlighted in our iPhone 16 reviews is the Image Wand. This tool can be used to transform a sketch into a detailed image; ideal if you’re a student and want to support your notes with a relevant diagram.
There’s also the Genmoji feature, which is an AI-powered evolution of the familiar emoji tool. With a quick prompt you can use Apple Intelligence to create emojis on-the-fly, offering far more versatility than the traditional emoji selection.
Siri enhancements
Siri benefits greatly from Apple Intelligence, providing it with a better understanding of what you’re asking. Over time, it will gradually learn how you use your phone’s apps and features, enabling it to recommend actions more intelligently.
Similar to how you would use an AI model like ChatGPT, Apple Intelligence also includes text support for Siri. Type your query or communicate via voice, it’s up to you.
Is Apple Intelligence the same as ChatGPT?
Whilst Apple Intelligence is similar to ChatGPT as an AI model, it does not utilise ChatGPT to perform its functions. These are instead ran on the device or via Apple’s Cloud servers, depending on the task in question.
However, ChatGPT is supported on compatible iPhones and incorporated into Apple Intelligence’s writing tools, as well as Siri.
Apple Intelligence and its features add a lot to the iPhone experience, but there’s so much more to discover when it comes to AI. We’ve gathered together an array of the top AI apps you need to know, which you can learn about in our handy guide.