iPhone Comparison Over the Last Three Years: Apple Intelligence-Compatible and Non-Compatible Models—An Overview of What They Can Do
I’ll organize the iPhones released over the past three years by whether they support Apple Intelligence or not, and explain what they can do, their limitations, and how to choose one, focusing primarily on firsthand information.
5 min read
When considering upgrading your smartphone, the factor that has made the decision the most difficult in recent years is “whether it supports Apple Intelligence.” Even among iPhones of the same generation, some models support it while others do not, and this affects future usability even more than the price difference.
We’ll focus on iPhones released in the last three years (2023–2025) to outline their Apple Intelligence compatibility and provide a detailed explanation—based on official information—of what you can do with it and what you should watch out for.
What Is Apple Intelligence?
Apple Intelligence is a new AI framework announced by Apple in 2024—a form of “personal intelligence” deeply integrated into iPhones, iPads, and Macs.
Features (Based on Official Descriptions)
- Text generation, summarization, and rewriting
- Photo editing (such as removing unwanted objects)
- Enhanced Siri
- Cross-app context understanding
- Integration with ChatGPT as needed
Its most notable feature is that it primarily relies on on-device processing and employs “Private Cloud Compute,” which uses servers equipped with Apple Silicon only for computationally intensive tasks.
Apple has explicitly stated that the system is designed to “not store data” and “not use personal information for training.”
Basic Requirements for Apple Intelligence Support
According to Apple’s official support, the requirements for iPhone support are as follows:
Requirements (Official)
- iPhone 15 Pro / 15 Pro Max
- iPhone 16 series and later
- iPhone 16e
- iPhone 17 series
- iPhone Air
In other words,
The iPhone 15 is “Pro-only”; the standard and Plus models are not supported
This is the point most prone to misunderstanding.
Comparison of iPhone Generations Over the Last 3 Years
2023 Generation: iPhone 15 Series
Apple Intelligence Support
- iPhone 15 Pro
- iPhone 15 Pro Max
Reason:
- Equipped with the A17 Pro chip
- Meets the minimum requirements for Apple Intelligence
Not Compatible with Apple Intelligence
- iPhone 15
- iPhone 15 Plus
Important Notes:
- While used prices are attractive due to their recent release, AI features will never be available on these models
- The gap in future OS experiences may widen (speculation)
2024 Generation: iPhone 16 Series
Apple Intelligence Compatible
- iPhone 16
- iPhone 16 Plus
- iPhone 16 Pro
- iPhone 16 Pro Max
Features:
- Apple officially states they are “designed for Apple Intelligence”
- Equipped with A18 / A18 Pro
- Starting with this generation, “AI support is available even on non-Pro models”
Practical Evaluation:
- Easy for families to coordinate
- Less stress due to feature differences
- Suitable for long-term use
2025 Generation ①: iPhone 16e
Apple Intelligence Support
- iPhone 16e
Features:
- Powered by the A18 chip
- Supports Apple Intelligence
- A practical, budget-friendly model
Market Positioning (Based on Observations):
- Aimed at users who “don’t need a Pro but want AI”
- A cost-effective option
2025 Generation ②: iPhone 17 Series
Apple Intelligence Compatible
- iPhone 17
- iPhone 17 Pro
- iPhone 17 Pro Max
Features:
- Apple Intelligence comes standard
- Further expanded processing power and AI processing capacity
2025 Generation ③: iPhone Air
Apple Intelligence Support
- iPhone Air
Features:
- A lightweight model with a new market positioning
- Apple Intelligence support
- Designed for users who prioritize portability
What You Can Do with Apple Intelligence
Writing Tools
- Summarizing long emails
- Rewriting text (polite, concise, casual)
- Generating drafts
Benefits:
- Significantly reduces time spent on daily writing tasks
Points to Note:
- Since summaries omit information, always check the original text for important details
Notifications & Email Summaries
- Displays only the key points of multiple notifications
- Provides an overview of emails and messages
Benefits:
- Reduces the “amount of reading”
- Makes it easier to prioritize information
Photo Editing (Clean Up)
- Removes people and objects that have accidentally appeared in photos
- Especially useful for travel photos
Points to Note:
- Not suitable for use as evidence (e.g., insurance claims, applications)
Image Playground / Genmoji
- AI image generation
- Create original emojis
Uses:
- Social media
- Expressing emotions in messages
Siri Enhancements
- More natural conversation understanding
- Context-aware operation assistance
Note:
- Features are being rolled out in phases depending on OS, region, and language
ChatGPT Integration
- ChatGPT can be accessed from Apple Intelligence
- Requires explicit permission
Important Notes:
- Since this involves integration with an external service, exercise caution regarding the handling of personal information
Shortcuts Integration
- AI summarization → Save to Notes
- Meeting notes → Extract to-do items
- Automatic clipboard processing
Practicality:
- Highly reproducible and easy to incorporate into daily routines
Japanese Language Support and Rollout Schedule
Apple Intelligence is being rolled out in phases.
- October 2024: Initial launch
- December 2024: Feature expansion
- April 2025 and beyond: Expansion of supported languages and regions
- Japanese support will also be expanded sequentially
Important Notes:
- Even if your device is compatible, not all features may be available immediately
- It is important to check Apple’s official compatibility requirements before use
Recommended Models by Purpose
Want to use AI while prioritizing value for money
- iPhone 16e
- Used iPhone 15 Pro
Want long-term, reliable use
- iPhone 16 series
Prioritize the latest technology
- iPhone 17 series
- iPhone Air
Don’t need AI; prioritize price
- iPhone 15 / 15 Plus (with the understanding that they are not compatible)
Summary
- The “iPhone 15 Pro” marks the turning point for Apple Intelligence compatibility
- The iPhone 16 and later models are designed with AI in mind
- For non-compatible models, the gap in OS experience may widen in the future
- While AI is convenient, it’s crucial to have a workflow where humans always review summaries and generated results
Apple Intelligence is a technology that excels at “subtle efficiency improvements in everyday tasks” rather than flashy features.
Now that you’re considering an upgrade, it’s worth taking the time to evaluate your specific needs and make an informed decision.
Primary sources checked
Primary sources checked
Important claims should also link to the relevant source in the article body.