Buying iPhone 16 for Apple Intelligence? You might need to wait bit longer for it

Apple has launched the iPhone 16 series in India, featuring impressive hardware upgrades. However, the much-anticipated Apple Intelligence AI features will not be available until 2025 for Indian users.

In Short

• iPhone 16 series now available for sale in India
• The iPhone 16 lineup is available at a starting price of Rs 79,900
• The series includes iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max

The iPhone 16 lineup has finally hit the shelves in the Indian market. Launched on September 9, 2024, the series includes four new models: iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max. For those looking to buy the new-gen iPhones, they are available at Apple’s flagship stores in Mumbai and Delhi, as well as through popular online and offline retailers like Amazon, Flipkart, and Croma.

While the hardware updates of the iPhone 16 series are impressive—with the latest processors, upgraded cameras, and sleek designs—one of the most anticipated features is Apple Intelligence, Apple’s new AI-powered platform. However, if you’re buying the iPhone 16 for Apple Intelligence, you might be disappointed, as the features are not yet available and won’t be coming anytime soon.

Apple Intelligence, the company’s generative AI platform, promises to bring a wealth of new features aimed at improving productivity and creativity. Despite the iPhone 16 series being designed with Apple Intelligence in mind, it will require a software update to unlock these powerful features. According to Apple, it will start releasing the Apple Intelligence feature with the iOS 18.1 update around November in the U.S. But for users in India, the wait might be even longer. While Apple Intelligence will initially support U.S. English, the platform will only be fully available in Indian English by early 2025. Those who prefer Indian regional languages, like Hindi or Kannada, may have to wait even further beyond that date.

The delay is due to Apple taking extra time to ensure that its AI-powered platform is optimised for multiple languages and regional accents, especially in countries like India, where language diversity is high.

Apple Intelligence compatibility

When Apple Intelligence does launch, it won’t be exclusive to the iPhone 16 series. The company has announced that several older devices will also support these AI features. For iPhones, the compatible models include:

• iPhone 16
• iPhone 16 Plus
• iPhone 16 Pro
• iPhone 16 Pro Max
• iPhone 15 Pro
• iPhone 15 Pro Max

Additionally, other Apple devices like the iPad Air, iPad Pro, MacBook Air, and MacBook Pro, powered by M1, M2, and M3 chips, will also be able to access the platform. This broad device compatibility shows that Apple is committed to bringing its AI innovations across the ecosystem, not just to its newest products.

Here is a list of some of the most anticipated features coming with Apple Intelligence.

Siri’s major upgrade

Perhaps the most significant improvement will be to Siri. Apple Intelligence will give Siri a complete overhaul, making it far more responsive, natural, and context-aware. For example, Siri will be able to understand multi-step instructions, edit photos, and even send messages with minimal user input. Siri’s new on-screen awareness feature means it can provide more relevant responses based on what’s happening within the app or task you’re engaged with.

Visual Intelligence

Visual Intelligence is another powerful feature. With this tool, users can point their camera at objects like restaurant menus or flyers, and the AI will instantly provide relevant information or even schedule events. It’s a seamless integration of AI with the iPhone’s camera, adding another layer of functionality that feels intuitive yet powerful.

AI-Powered Writing Tools

Apple Intelligence will introduce advanced writing tools integrated across apps like Messages, Mail, and Notes. These tools can proofread, adjust tone, and even summarise large chunks of text. Whether you're writing a professional email or a casual message, Apple’s AI can help fine-tune your communication to be clear and concise.

Clean-Up Tool for Photos

This feature allows users to remove unwanted elements from their photos effortlessly. Whether it's a passerby in the background or an object that's ruining your shot, the Clean-Up tool will intelligently erase these distractions while preserving the image’s quality.

Summaries for Calls and Messages

Apple Intelligence will also help users manage their communications by offering AI-generated summaries for lengthy messages, emails, and even phone calls. For anyone juggling a large volume of conversations, this feature will make staying organised much easier.

Image Playground and GenMoji

Apple has confirmed that tools like Image Playground and GenMoji will arrive in 2025. Image Playground will allow users to generate visuals based on simple prompts, while GenMoji will enable the creation of custom emojis that resemble users or their friends, adding a personalised touch to messaging.