Apple Intelligence shows some really great promise—if only Apple would deliver it.
AI is today’s buzzword. And if you have an iPhone, Apple Intelligence is buzzing all over. The iPhone 16 is the first phone built with Apple Intelligence in mind, and whether you’re buying one this week or not, it’s hard to escape it.
Back in June, when Apple previewed its AI suite coming to compatible devices next month I was confident that the company would reserve exclusive Apple Intelligence features for the iPhone 16. After all, the ever-expanding Google Pixel line just unveiled a ton of AI features that are surely appealing to certain iOS users, so I expected Apple would surely have some exclusive AI tricks up its sleeve to keep them from jumping ship. Boy, was I wrong.Nothing new
If you’re looking for a comprehensive list of exclusive iPhone 16 AI perks, there’s just one: Visual Intelligence. The tool, which won’t be available at launch like the rest of Apple Intelligence, is activated using the new Camera Control button to allow users to scan an object or place to take a relevant action or learn more about it.
For example, you could point your iPhone 16’s camera at a dog to identify its breed. Similarly, you could check a restaurant’s OpenTable listing after scanning its sign, or add an event to your calendar based on a concert poster’s details. There’s also an integrated math-solving utility that relies on ChatGPT’s smarts to help students with their assignments.
While Visual Intelligence is undoubtedly a welcome addition, it’s too underwhelming compared to rivaling companies’ progress in the AI department. Google Lens operates similarly and has existed on all relevant smartphones for years. In fact, iPhone 15 Pro users can already map the Action button to trigger the feature if they’ve installed the official Google app. So, Apple cloning and offering it as the sole exclusive AI feature is disappointing—to say the least.
Apple Intelligence is built into the iPhone 16—but most of the features won’t be available until next year.
Apple Intelligence is built into the iPhone 16—but most of the features won’t be available until next year.
Apple Intelligence is built into the iPhone 16—but most of the features won’t be available until next year.
