After months of anticipation, Apple’s iOS 18.1 update has finally arrived, offering a glimpse into Apple Intelligence—but not the full experience users expected.
For iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 15 Pro users, the rollout provides limited AI capabilities, with the majority of promised features now scheduled for release in 2025.
Apple Intelligence Limited to Select Models
Apple Intelligence, Apple’s long-awaited AI-powered system, is restricted to the iPhone 16 series and iPhone 15 Pro models. Base iPhone 15 models remain excluded from Apple Intelligence, and iPhone 16 users will have to wait until next year to unlock the complete suite of features.
Those hoping for an immediate AI overhaul will be disappointed, as Apple has held back some of the most anticipated capabilities, delaying them until closer to the iPhone 17 launch.
What’s New in iOS 18.1?
While Apple Intelligence is set to be a key differentiator for Apple in the AI space, the features in this initial iOS 18.1 release are more evolutionary than revolutionary.
Familiar tools such as text summarization and message rewriting have been introduced, which will remind users of existing AI functionalities.
Writing Tools
Apple Intelligence brings basic AI writing aids, allowing users to summarize long blocks of text, tweak writing tones, or rephrase messages.
These tools help streamline communication, giving users more control over expressing themselves in texts, emails, and other written formats. However, the functionality is similar to what’s already available in many third-party AI apps.
Enhanced Notifications
A standout feature in iOS 18.1 is AI-enhanced notifications. Apple Intelligence prioritizes important alerts and summarizes lengthy notifications, such as emails or text messages.
This lets users get a quick overview without opening each message, potentially improving productivity and user experience. Yet, beyond the notification organization, there’s little to distinguish this update from competitor platforms.
Photo and Call Enhancements
In the Photos app, Apple Intelligence introduces a memory-creation feature that uses AI to compile photos into shareable memories, alongside a new photo cleanup tool to remove unwanted objects—akin to Magic Eraser.
Additionally, the AI system can transcribe calls and provide summaries, allowing users to keep text-based records of conversations.
Major Apple Intelligence Features Delayed Until 2025
Many of Apple’s most exciting features—including context-aware responses and deeper AI integration—are still in development. These advanced capabilities, aimed at integrating AI into daily tasks at a deeper level, are not expected to arrive until well into 2025.
For now, Apple Intelligence in iOS 18.1 is a modest step rather than the leap many hoped for. Apple users will need to wait until next year to fully experience the AI capabilities that Apple has teased, suggesting a larger, more comprehensive AI update on the horizon.
