Rumors agree that Apple will go all out on generative AI for iOS 18, a technology that can be cloud-based or run locally... provided it has enough power. According to a note from Jeff Pu consulted by 9to5Mac, Apple will partly opt for this second option: the analyst affirms that the A18 Pro chip “will have a larger computing surface” compared to the A17 Pro, which could be “a novelty for edge AI computing.” Here, the term “edge” AI refers to artificial intelligence models running locally.
If Apple has not presented much in the field of generative AI so far, we expect to discover big changes at the next WWDC. Details aren't yet known, but it looks like Siri is getting a more powerful overhaul as the technology infuses into different apps. It could thus provide inspiration in Pages or Keynote, create Apple Music playlists, formulate text in Messages…
However, such functions require a lot of computing power that is difficult to obtain on a small smartphone like the iPhone. It is therefore possible that Apple will run some of the functions locally while relying on the cloud for certain intensive loads. Rumors claim that Cupertino is in discussions with Google to use its Gemini model while waiting to fine-tune its own engine. However, the best would obviously be to perform as many calculations as possible on the device to ensure better confidentiality. The balance between power, features and privacy is difficult to find, and it will be interesting to see how Apple integrates all of this without making missteps.
Apple has had a Neural Engine under the hood of its iPhones for years, having made its debut on the iPhone 8 and X. Last month, a report already claimed that Apple had planned much more powerful A18 and M4 chips AI side. Rumors say that iOS 18 will be compatible with all iPhones running iOS 17, but it is not excluded that Apple reserves certain advanced functions for its new hardware.
It seems that the arrival of AI is one of the big new features of the iPhone 16. The phone could be entitled to a redesign with a rearranged photo block and a “Capture” button dedicated to recording videos. A new microphone should appear to improve Siri. We expect to discover it in September, during the manufacturer's usual back-to-school Keynote.
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