It’s about memory, not Neural Engine speeds.
If you were watching Apple demo the main features of Apple Intelligence during the WWDC keynote on Monday, you were likely thinking of all the ways you’d be able to use the new service on your iPhone this fall. However, when it was over many iPhone users were dismayed to learn it won’t work on their phone—Apple Intelligence is off limits to all but the newest and most expensive phones.
While Macs and iPads going back to 2020 will get the benefits of Apple Intelligence, support for the iPhone range is restricted to the 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max. That leaves out two of Apple’s newest phones released just a few months ago as well as all older models still on sale and the iPhone SE.
However, while it might seem like a strange decision since the A16 chip in the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus is plenty fast, a new report from Ming-Chi Kuo sheds some light on things.
