Rumors surrounding the iPhone SE 4 have been swirling for some time, but until now we hadn't heard anything about its potential price. Thankfully, the latest iPhone SE 4 tip does finally give us an insight how much this supposedly budget phone might cost, but the numbers aren't so promising.
According to reliable leaker @Revegnus1, whose X account was deleted shortly after sharing this leak, the iPhone SE 4 will either cost the same price as the iPhone SE (2022) in the US (meaning it would start at $429), or rise by around 10%. In the latter case, Apple still apparently won’t charge more than $499.
That isn’t terrible news – and if the phone's price stays the same, that’s actively good news, especially as it’s replacing a model that’s now over two years old.
Unfortunately, though, it seems Apple may opt for higher regional pricing; @Revegnus1 notes that the iPhone SE 4's price will go up by around 15% in Europe and other countries, regardless of whether the price increases in the US or not. That would translate to a starting price of roughly £500 / AU$820 (up from the £419 / AU$719 starting price of the current model).
An acceptable increase
The iPhone SE (2022) launched for $429 / £419 / AU$719 (Image credit: TechRadar)
Price increases are never desirable, but in truth, these figures don’t sound too unreasonable – aside from the fact that Apple is apparently taking an America-first approach to pricing.
10-15% isn’t a massive rumored price increase, and given that we’ll probably be at least three years on from the iPhone SE (2022) by the time we see the iPhone SE 4, it comes as no real surprise that the price might rise, what with inflation.
Plus, rumors suggest that the iPhone SE 4 might actually be a major upgrade on the current model too, with a new design that gets rid of the home button and massive bezels in favor of a notch and Face ID.
We’ve also heard that the iPhone SE 4 could have an Action button, a larger screen, and potentially an OLED display rather than an LCD one. It’s also sure to be powerful based on past form, though it’s unclear exactly what chipset it will use.
So, you could be getting a lot of phone for your money with the iPhone SE 4, and those rumored prices would still put the device in line with the likes of the Google Pixel 8a, which seems reasonable enough.
In any case, we might not find out the confirmed price or specs of the iPhone SE 4 for quite a while yet, with most leaks suggesting that we won’t see the phone before 2025 at the earliest.
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Best iPhone: which Apple smartphone reigns supreme?
If you've been thinking about buying an iPhone 15, Apple just gave you a gentle nudge towards taking the plunge by boosting its maximum Trade In prices for old handsets – but only until June 3.
Apple Trade In is the most simple, if not the most financially rewarding, way to swap your old iPhone for a new one and get a little money off your new purchase. And from today until June 3, Apple has slightly increased the credit it's offering for old models from the iPhone 11 onwards.
As you can see in the table below, the credit boosts during this period are small – ranging from $10 extra for the likes of the iPhone SE (3rd gen) to a more generous $30 extra for the iPhone 13 mini. Then again, with the future of the iPhone mini up in the air, it might be wise to hold onto that model if you like the form factor.
The prices below are also only an "estimated trade-in value", with the actual amount dependent on the condition of your handset. To find out the exact amount that your phone is worth, head to the official Apple Trade In page and answer the questions on its storage, serial number and more.
Once your trade is confirmed, you'll be able to either mail in your old phone or drop it off at an Apple Store. Apple will either refurbish your old phone and sell it onto a new owner, or recycle it if it's in bad shape.
A recent Bloomberg report revealed that Apple's recycling process has had historical issues, but Apple claims that it's recycling is much-improved since those lawsuits in 2020 and that "we're pioneering innovative new ways to recover the valuable materials inside", according to a spokesperson.
Still, either way, you'll likely get more money for your old iPhone by checking comparison sites (like ItsWorthMore), retailers or going for a private sale on the likes of eBay...
Should you use Apple Trade In?
(Image credit: Future)
While they're only minor, these price boosts for Apple Trade In are welcome as its credit offerings typically lag behind the prices you can get for your old iPhone elsewhere.
For example, an unlocked iPhone 13 in good condition with its original box can fetch around $350 on the likes of ItsWorthMore or Swappa, which is more than the $320 that Apple is offering until June 3 with its boosted Trade In values.
Of course, the benefit of going with Apple is convenience – if you're planning to buy a new iPhone, then being able to trade in your old one at the same time can save you some time and hassle.
Also, despite that recent behind-the-scenes report from Bloomberg about the problems that Apple's encountered with e-waste and recycling contractors, the company is still one of the more transparent ways to recycle your old iPhone if it's not in condition for a resale.
For some, then, these boosted Apple Trade In prices could be worth taking advantage of over the next week, but only if you're not holding out for an iPhone 16 (which will likely land in September).
If you’re already thinking about what color you might like the iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, or iPhone 16 Pro Max in, you can now narrow down the options, as a credible leak has seemingly revealed all the likely shades.
This latest tip comes from Ming-Chi Kuo, an analyst with a great track record for Apple information, via MacRumors, with the former claiming on X that the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max will be sold in black, white (or possibly silver), rose, and gray (which Kuo believes will be marketed as ‘Natural Titanium’).
That information aligns with a previous iPhone 16 Pro colors leak, which pointed to Space Black, white, rose, and gray shades. Since these two leaks line up, and since the latest tip comes from a reputable source, we’d say there’s a good chance these are the iPhone 16 colors we’ll see come September.
2H24 iPhone 16系列機殼顏色預測iPhone 16 Pro & Pro Max：黑色、白色 (或銀色)、灰色 (應該是原色鈦金屬)、玫瑰iPhone 16 & 16 Plus：黑色、綠色、粉紅、藍色、白色 Apple可能對顏色會有不同的稱呼 (如先前稱呼白色為星光色)。此外，即便顏色名稱與既有機種相同，但看起來可能會不一樣。 --…May 19, 2024
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For reference, the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max are sold in Natural Titanium, Blue Titanium, Black Titanium, and White Titanium. So, if the leaks above are right, then the blue option will be replaced with a rose shade. Otherwise, though, the colors should be similar.
White replaces yellow
As for the standard iPhone 16 and the iPhone 16 Plus, Kuo says these devices will come in black, green, pink, blue, and white shades. We’re slightly less certain of this prediction, mind, because a previous iPhone 16 colors leak pointed to these phones coming in pink, yellow, blue, green, black, white, and purple shades.
However, we were always a bit skeptical of the latter leak, because it’s more colors than Apple usually offers, and the tip itself doesn't come from a source with much of a track record. It does overlap with Kuo’s claims, but the source additionally mentions yellow and purple.
The current iPhone 15 colors include pink, yellow, blue, green, and black, so if Kuo’s information is correct, then yellow will be replaced with white this year.
Kuo notes though that while the remaining options might be similar to the currently-available iPhone 15 colors, the exact shades may differ (for instance, the pink could be darker or lighter this year). The names Apple gives to the colors might also differ.
We’d take all of the above with a pinch of salt for now, since it’s still months until the expected September launch of the iPhone 16 series. That said, this is the most credible iPhone 16 colors leak yet, so there’s a high chance it’s accurate.
Android users have been busy making use of Circle to Search since it debuted on the Samsung Galaxy S24 and Google Pixel 8 in January – and it appears that iPhone owners may be able to make use of the AI-powered feature themselves in the near future.
As spotted by The Mac Observer, a new "Lens Circle to Search" flag has been quietly added to Google Chrome for iOS. Google Lens is the technology that underpins Google to Search, enabling users to run a search based on any text or images on screen.
It therefore looks as though the ability to circle (or squiggle over) anything on screen to run a Google search will soon be available in Chrome for iOS – though it's not clear when. It's not quite the same system-wide integration as on Android, but it's something.
You can already use Circle to Search on an iPhone, sort of: it's basically a custom shortcut to Google Lens. There's no circling involved, but it works in any app via a screenshot, and does well enough at searching the web with visual information.
Keep on circling
Circle to Search is reaching more and more devices (Image credit: Google)
If you're completely new to Circle to Search, it makes searching for anything on screen – like a plant species, a car model, or a book quote – faster and easier than ever. You can then tweak and expand the search as needed through Google Lens.
We're unlikely to ever see full Circle to Search integration for iOS, because third-party apps aren't allowed the high-level access that would be required. It's more likely that Apple will roll out something similar itself.
That may happen at its WWDC 2024 event starting on June 10, where we're expecting an avalanche of AI-related software announcements – so very much along the lines of the Google I/O 2024 event that ran earlier this week.
Tired of your iPhone battery not lasting long enough? There could be good news on the way, as one prominent leaker has alleged Apple is working to boost the juice of its future phones. But despite that positive development, there’s a significant catch attached.
The news comes from Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who has built up a reputation for sourcing accurate information from Apple’s supply chains. This time, Kuo claims that future iPhone batteries will feature increased energy density. This means Apple could choose to either increase battery life and keep the current battery size, or offer the same battery life in a smaller package, thereby making room for other components inside its iPhones.
As well as that, Kuo states that Apple is planning to switch out the existing aluminum battery case inside its phones with a stainless steel replacement. While this is not quite as effective at heat dissipation compared to aluminum, it is “more robust and less susceptible to corrosion,” Kuo maintains. That could help to strengthen your iPhone and might provide similar protection as the metal bracket Apple has added to the interior of the 2024 iPad Pro.
There’s another potential angle to this, according to Kuo: regulation. As the analyst puts it: “The use of a stainless steel battery case also reduces the difficulty of removing the battery, which will help Apple comply with the European Union’s requirements for mobile phone batteries’ replaceability in the future.” No doubt that’s weighing heavily on the minds of Apple’s decision makers, although how far the company will go to make user-replaceable batteries is open to question.
iPhone 16 Pro Max priority
(Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)
Now, about that catch we mentioned earlier. Kuo’s report initially only mentions this year’s rumored iPhone 16 Pro Max getting the upgrades. It then goes on to explain that, if all goes well with testing and production, these features should be rolled out to every iPhone in 2025. That means you’ll have to wait an extra year if you don’t want to fork out for Apple’s flagship iPhone 16 Pro Max.
It’s a shame, but not entirely surprising. Apple often rolls out premium features in its Pro Max phones first as a way to differentiate them and justify their higher prices. And with the increased size of this year’s model – the iPhone 16 Pro Max is expected to have a 6.9-inch display, up from 6.7 inches – that gives more room internally for other components should Apple decide to shrink the battery’s footprint.
Elsewhere, a second report, this time from Display Supply Chain Consultants’ Ross Young, has claimed that Apple’s suppliers will start manufacturing screens for the iPhone 16 range this June, suggesting that everything is on course for the usual September release date. With that in mind, it means we don’t have long until we find out exactly what Apple has decided to do about the iPhone’s battery situation.
One thing we’ve heard numerous times about the iPhone 16 Pro Max is that it will apparently be bigger than the iPhone 15 Pro Max, with a massive-sounding 6.9-inch display in place of the iPhone 15 Pro Max’s 6.7-inch one. That would make it one of the largest-screened phones on the planet, beating even the 6.8-inch Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, but in practice, this size bump might not make much difference.
Twitter user @ZONEofTECH (via Majin Bu and 9to5Mac) has shared photos of an iPhone 16 Pro Max dummy unit alongside the iPhone 15 Pro Max, so you can see clearly how these two phones compare, and when it comes to their sizes, there’s not much in it.
The iPhone 16 Pro Max dummy unit is noticeably bigger, but by such a small amount that it’s unlikely to feel much different in the hand, or to have much impact on how big the screen feels.
Source? I posted these https://t.co/H4tJmVGLlhMay 15, 2024
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That’s arguably a good thing, since the iPhone 15 Pro Max is already a large phone, and we’re not sure people have been crying out for a vastly bigger model. In fact, there’s a good chance Apple is only increasing the size at all so that it can better differentiate the Pro Max from the iPhone 16 Plus, which is expected to have a 6.7-inch screen.
Of course, we’d take these images with a pinch of salt, especially as the source doesn’t have much of a track record. But dummy units like this are often made by accessory manufacturers, to help them craft cases and other accessories before the phone is launched, so they do tend to be accurate.
We should find out exactly how much bigger the iPhone 16 Pro Max is than the iPhone 15 Pro Max in September, as that’s almost certainly when Apple will unveil this phone, alongside the standard iPhone 16, the iPhone 16 Plus, and the iPhone 16 Pro.
Stay tuned to TechRadar ahead of that, though, for all the credible leaks and rumors that emerge in the meantime.
With Apple's WWDC 2024 event and the accompanying iOS 18 reveal fast approaching, speculation is mounting about what kind of AI features Apple might introduce – and a new report gives us a few more major clues.
This report comes from the New York Times (via MacRumors), and says that an upgraded version of Siri is going to be central to iOS 18. Efforts to make Siri a more competent competitor to ChatGPT have apparently been underway for more than a year.
The new and improved Siri is going to be "more conversational and versatile", according to the NYT – and it'll be better at keeping chats going, rather than replying to one question at a time. It's said that Apple has shifted extra resources to Siri development, which was part of the reason the Apple Car was abandoned.
However, the report says Siri won't compete with the ChatGPT chatbot directly: instead, it'll get better at what it already does, including timers, calendar appointments, and lists. The digital assistant will also be able to summarize text messages (which we've heard hints about before).
AI ins and outs
This is the Apple AI strategy:A) On-device LLM (in house)B) Cloud-powered LLM (in house)C) Chatbot (OpenAI for sure, Google maybe). Apple isn’t building its own chatbot but knows the market wants it so it’s going elsewhere for it. It’s the same playbook as search. https://t.co/XQrv57jylYMay 12, 2024
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It's getting a little tricky to pick through all the different AI-related Apple rumors we're hearing in the run up to the Worldwide Developers Conference. All we know for sure is that Apple is keen on AI, and has some significant announcements in store.
Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, one of the more reliable Apple tipsters, has posted on social media about how these upgrades will work: Apple is developing its own in-house LLMs (Large Language Models) for local, on-device work, and for cloud processing, Gurman says.
It'll then integrate a third-party chatbot into its software: either ChatGPT from OpenAI or Google Gemini, as we've already heard. Gurman says "it's the same playbook as search" – so while Siri can search the web, Apple has a partnership with Google for doing the actual searching work. Expect something similar with AI.
There's quite a bit of overlap there, because if Apple is developing its own LLMs, it doesn't necessarily need extra help from OpenAI or Google – so it's not exactly certain where one service will start and another will end. Hopefully all will become clear at WWDC 2024, which gets underway on June 10.
This past week we've been fully focused on the new iPad Pro and iPad Air slates launched by Apple, but as the year goes on we'll be turning our attention to the 2024 iPhones: and a key detail of the iPhone 16 Pro has just leaked.
According to well-known tipster Instant Digital on Chinese social media site Weibo (via MacRumors), the iPhone 16 Pro is set to come with a typical SDR (Standard Dynamic Range) brightness of 1,200 nits, up from 1,000 nits on the iPhone 15 Pro.
Maximum HDR (High Dynamic Range) brightness, meanwhile, will stay the same at 1,600 nits. That's according to "current laboratory data", if Google Translate is to be believed. There's no word on whether or not the iPhone 16 Pro Max will see the same jump.
That standard SDR brightness has actually remained unchanged on the more expensive iPhone models since the iPhone 13 Pro launched in 2021. If it does come to pass, it should mean a noticeably brighter screen in everyday use.
The rumors so far
WWDC 2024 is getting closer (Image credit: Apple)
We haven't been short of iPhone 16 leaks and rumors over the last few months, even though the handsets aren't thought to be launching until September 2024 – assuming Apple sticks to its usual schedule for these devices.
We've recently heard that the iPhone 16 smartphones may miss out on the tandem OLED technology featuring in the top-end iPad Pros for 2024. However, the Pro and Pro Max may well come with a new polished titanium finish.
Other upgrades that are being talked about concern the cameras: a new camera lens coating for the Pro and Pro Max models to improve photo and video quality, and a new vertically aligned camera layout for the standard iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus.
The next big date on the Apple calendar is its Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC) for 2024, which gets underway on June 10. Expect to hear a whole lot about iOS 18, and a bunch of artificial intelligence updates that are in the pipeline.
We’re still months away from the presumed September launch of the iPhone 16 series, but a detailed leak has already revealed much about the iPhone 17 line – including that there will apparently be an iPhone 17 Slim in place of a Plus model.
This information comes from Haitong International Securities analyst Jeff Pu, in an investor note seen by 9to5Mac, and Pu claims that this new Slim model will have a 6.6-inch display (down from 6.7 inches on the iPhone 15 Plus). Though another leaker – Ross Young – has said in a new X post that it will be slightly smaller still, at 6.55 inches.
In either case, the fact that two different reputable leakers are talking about an iPhone 17 Slim means there’s a fair chance this is a real thing.
Design changes for every model
The iPhone 17 Pro Max could have a narrower Dynamic Island (Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)
As for the rest of the iPhone 17 series, Pu claims that the iPhone 17 will have a 6.1-inch screen, the iPhone 17 Pro will have a 6.3-inch display, and the iPhone 17 Pro Max will have a 6.9-inch one. That’s in line with the sizes we’re expecting from the iPhone 16 line, so it’s only the iPhone 17 Slim that might be getting a screen size change.
The iPhone 17 Pro Max will, unsurprisingly, apparently be clad in titanium, much like the iPhone 15 Pro Max, but interestingly, the other three models are said to have a “more complex” aluminum design. That could actually be a downgrade for the iPhone 17 Pro though, since the iPhone 15 Pro also uses titanium.
The iPhone 17 Pro Max is additionally said to have a “narrowed Dynamic Island”, while the other three phones will apparently stick with the Dynamic Island we're used to. This reduced size is supposedly due to a new “metalens” technology, which could shrink the size of the Face ID sensor.
More megapixels and RAM
The same report also points to the iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Slim having 8GB of RAM and either an A18 or A19 chipset, while the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max will apparently have 12GB of RAM and an A19 Pro chipset. For reference, currently the standard models have 6GB of RAM, while the Pro models have 8GB, and with the iPhone 16 line, it’s rumored that all four phones will have 8GB of RAM.
Finally, all four iPhone 17 models are said to have a 24MP front-facing camera, up from 12MP on the current phones.
So, it sounds like the iPhone 17 Pro Max could be the big winner here, with the largest screen, the smallest Dynamic Island, and possibly being the only titanium option in the line. But the iPhone 17 Pro sounds like a big upgrade too, with more RAM and a faster chipset than current models, and indeed the standard iPhone 17.
The iPhone 17 Slim could be an interesting addition, and given the name, it would presumably be thinner than the 7.8mm iPhone 15 Plus, but that remains to be seen.
Of course, it’s extremely early for iPhone 17 leaks, so even though this all comes from a credible source, we’d take such rumors with a significant pinch of salt for now.
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iPhone 16: release date speculation, latest leaks, price predictions and more
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Best iPhone: which Apple smartphone reigns supreme?
There's been no shortage of iPhone 16 leaks already, ahead of an expected September launch, and the latest to emerge suggests that the MagSafe charging system used by Apple's flagship phone series might be getting tweaked this year.
This particular tip comes from ShopSystem (via Neowin), and involves molds used by third-party case makers so they can get their wares ready for the iPhone 16 launch. They usually give us a good indication of what the actual phones will look like.
In this case it's noticeable that the MagSafe rings on the back of the iPhone 16 models are thinner than those on their iPhone 15 counterparts. It's not the most dramatic of changes, but it hints that the wireless charging tech might be about to become more efficient and lightweight – perhaps with a reduction in charger sizes.
The iPhone version of MagSafe (as opposed to the older Mac technology) was launched in 2020 alongside the iPhone 12. It's probably due an upgrade, perhaps including a charging speed increase from the current 15W, but this might also mean the new iPhones will require a whole new set of accessories and cases.
Photos, videos, and AI
The iPhone 15 Plus (Image credit: Future)
These case molds also show a vertical camera alignment for the iPhone 16 and the iPhone 16 Plus, which we've heard about before. Check out our iPhone 15 review and you'll see the two rear cameras are arranged in a diagonal pattern.
The thinking is that swapping the alignment of the cameras might enable the cheaper iPhones to record spatial video: that's the 3D video format developed by Apple that can be viewed on the Apple Vision Pro.
We've also heard rumors that the Pro and Pro Max are going to get slightly bigger screens this time around, but it's difficult to tell from these case molds. Given the way the industry has been going in the last year or so, it's likely that the iPhone 16 is going to go big on AI too, with the help of iOS 18.
If Apple sticks to its usual schedule this year, then we should see the iPhone 16, the iPhone 16 Plus, the iPhone 16 Pro, and the iPhone 16 Pro Max show up at some point during September. Before that happens, there's a big iPad event scheduled for tomorrow, May 7, where we're expecting several new tablets.
The iPhone 16 Plus probably won’t be the most popular phone in the iPhone 16 line. In fact, based on past form it will likely be the least popular, with the iPhone 16 Pro Max probably set to take the top spot in sales, but this could still be an exciting handset.
Thanks to leaks and rumors we already have a good idea of what to expect from the iPhone 16 Plus, even though it probably won’t land until September. So below you’ll find everything we've heard so far, including the rumored release date, price, design, and specs.
We’re sure to hear plenty more rumors about this phone ahead of launch though, and we’ll be collecting them all here. As such, keep checking back if you want the most complete possible picture of the iPhone 16 Plus pre-launch.
Cut to the chase
What is it? The larger-screen alternative to the iPhone 16
When is it out? Probably September 2024
How much will it cost? Likely at least $899 / £899 / AU$1,649
iPhone 16 Plus: expected release date and price
The iPhone 15 Plus (Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)
Likely to be announced in the first half of September
Should ship before the end of September
May cost around $899 / £899 / AU$1,649
Based on past form, the iPhone 16 Plus will almost certainly be announced during the first or second week of September – probably on a Tuesday or Wednesday.
Pre-orders will likely open on the Friday, and the phone will probably ship on the following Friday, meaning that it will be in buyers’ hands before the end of September.
As for the price, the iPhone 16 Plus could cost a similar amount to the iPhone 15 Plus, which starts at $899 / £899 / AU$1,649. However, it could also cost slightly more, and there’s even a chance it will cost less.
We’ve also seen this design in leaked iPhone 16 prototype images, which you can see below. These show three designs that were apparently under consideration, of which the one in black is expected to launch, though all have vertical cameras.
The iPhone 15 Plus (Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)
Reportedly a 12MP ultra-wide camera like last year
Probably the same 48MP main and 12MP selfie cameras too
Might be able to record spatial video
So far we haven’t head much about the iPhone 16 Plus’s cameras, but that’s probably because there might not be any real changes to them.
According to analyst Jeff Pu, the iPhone 16 Plus will have a 12MP ultra-wide camera, just like the iPhone 15 Plus does. They don’t mention the main snapper, but since that got an upgrade to 48MP last year, we wouldn’t expect further upgrades this year.
And nor do we expect any additional lenses, as leaks haven’t mentioned a third lens, and leaked imagery shows just two – so if you want a telephoto camera, you’ll probably have to pick one of the Pro models.
There’s no news on the iPhone 16 Plus’s front-facing camera either, but there’s a good chance it will be 12MP like last year, especially as even the iPhone 15 Pro Max only has a 12MP selfie camera.
There may be some upgrades to the camera software and functionality though, including the ability to shoot spatial video for use with an Apple Vision Pro. It's speculated that the rumored move to a vertical lens arrangement is to allow for this.
iPhone 16 Plus: expected specs and features
The iPhone 15 Plus (Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)
Rumored to have an A18 chipset
Could have 8GB of RAM
The battery might be smaller this year
There’s some uncertainty over what chipset the iPhone 16 Plus will have. The iPhone 15 Plus has the A16 Bionic, inherited from the previous year’s Pro models. So if Apple continues that pattern, then it would make sense for the iPhone 16 Plus to have an A17 Pro, which you’ll currently find in the iPhone 15 Pro line.
In which case, the iPhone 16 Plus could get a serious power upgrade over its predecessor – though it’s possible that there will be multiple versions of the A18. So, for example, the iPhone 16 Plus might get the standard A18, while the iPhone 16 Pro gets an A18 Pro. Either way though, this should be more powerful than the A17 Pro.
The iPhone 15 Plus (Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)
This increase in RAM, storage, and power could in part be to help with AI, which Apple is expected to make a big play for this year, with major AI features likely to be announced as part of iOS 18 at WWDC 2024 on June 10.
That said, the same sources say the other iPhone 16 models will have larger batteries than their predecessors; it would be odd if Apple would reduce just the Plus model’s.
Artificial intelligence is clearly going to feature heavily in iOS 18 and all the other software updates Apple is due to tell us about on June 10, and new leaks reveal more about what's coming in terms of AI later in the year.
These leaks come courtesy of "people familiar with the software" speaking to AppleInsider, and focus on the generative AI capabilities of the Ajax Large Language Model (LLM) that we've been hearing about since last year.
AI-powered text summarization – covering everything from websites to messages – will apparently be one of the big new features. We'd previously heard this was coming to Safari, but AppleInsider says this functionality will be available through Siri too.
The idea is you'll be able to get the key points out of a document, a webpage, or a conversation thread without having to read through it in its entirety – and presumably Apple is going to offer certain assurances about accuracy and reliability.
Fast and private
Expect to hear more about iOS 18 in June (Image credit: Apple / Future)
Ajax will be able to generate responses to some prompts entirely on Apple devices, without sending anything to the cloud, the report says – and that chimes with previous rumors about everything running locally.
That's good for privacy, and for speed: according to AppleInsider, responses can come back in milliseconds. Tight integration with other Apple apps, including the Contacts app and the Calendar app, is also said to be present.
AppleInsider mentions that privacy warnings will be shown whenever Ajax needs information from another app. If a response from a cloud-based AI is required, it's rumored that Apple may enlist the help of Google Gemini or OpenAI's ChatGPT.
Spotlight on macOS will be getting "more intelligent results and sorting" too, AppleInsider says, and it sounds like most of the apps on iOS and macOS will be getting an AI boost. Expect to hear everything Apple has been working on at WWDC 2024 in June.
