Apple Might Not Deliver AI Image Generation Until iOS 18.2

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Key Takeaways

  • Apple's iPhone 16 will not initially include the full suite of **Apple Intelligence AI** features.
  • AI features will be rolled out gradually, starting with iOS 18.1 in October.
  • Some advanced AI capabilities, like Image Playground and Genmoji, won't be available until December.

The upcoming iPhone 16 is set to miss the initial rollout of Apple’s AI features — Apple Intelligence.

This news from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman comes just hours before the new iPhone launch event. The report points out that Apple’s AI-powered Image Playground app and the Genmoji feature, which allows users to generate emojis from text prompts, will not be included in the first iOS 18.1 update scheduled for October. Instead, these more advanced AI capabilities are not expected to arrive until the iOS 18.2 update, which is slated for release in December.

The decision to stagger the rollout of these AI features is reportedly driven by concerns over their reliability and stability. Apple is said to be taking additional time to ensure the technology is “fully baked” before releasing it to consumers.

This phased approach to delivering Apple Intelligence could tone down the excitement typically associated with new iPhone launches, as users may have to wait several months to access the full range of promised AI enhancements.

Gurman also hints that Apple Intelligence may face additional delays in reaching certain markets, such as the European Union and China, due to regulatory hurdles.

With the iPhone 16 launch just hours away, Apple’s decision to hold back on its marquee AI features could have implications for consumer demand and the overall reception of the new device.

Users hoping to fully experience Apple’s AI capabilities may have to hold off until later software updates or even wait for the release of the iPhone 17 in 2025.

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