I have to say, Apple has been “letting loose” in recent years. Not only has it been “squeezing the toothpaste” frequently, but it’s also been stumbling repeatedly with the new iPhone 16.
Even though Apple’s AI hasn’t arrived yet, the praise is endless, with many believing Apple will revolutionize AI. However, Apple’s own employees don’t share this optimism.
Yesterday, an insider admitted that Apple’s generative AI development is over two years behind schedule, and the road ahead for Apple’s AI is long and challenging.
01
Employees Expose Shortcomings
Well-known Apple leaker Mark Gurman revealed that some Apple employees believe the company has already fallen behind in the AI field. These employees found that OpenAI’s ChatGPT is 25% more accurate than Apple’s Siri and can answer 30% more questions. Some even believe that Apple’s generative AI technology (at least at this stage) is more than two years behind industry leaders.
Gurman also mentioned that Apple’s “smart” features have been hyped for over five months, but they have been “all talk and no action.” Based on current information, many consumers might question, “Is this it?” or “Where exactly is Apple’s intelligence?” He also pointed out that the sales of this year’s iPhone 16 weren’t driven by AI, as no AI was introduced at launch.
It’s clear that Apple is “missing in action” when it comes to AI. Emerging companies like OpenAI and Anthropic, as well as tech giants like Google, Meta, and Microsoft, are regularly releasing or updating AI-related research and products. Even domestic tech companies are actively competing, while Apple seems to be making much less news in this area.
02
AI Isn’t Here Yet, But Promises Have Been Plenty
In September, Apple launched the iPhone 16, but guess what? Buying an iPhone 16 doesn’t give you immediate access to “Apple Intelligence”—you’ll have to wait for an update.
According to the latest leaks, Apple plans to release iOS 18.1 on October 28, which will include the long-awaited Apple Intelligence features. Besides the October update, Apple is also planning to introduce more AI features in the Beta version of iOS 18.2, expected to launch in December.
A few days ago, Apple updated its iPad mini line, which hadn’t seen a refresh in three years. Clearly, this update is part of Apple’s effort to equip all its product lines with the latest AI capabilities.
However, for now, Apple Intelligence only supports US English, with plans to add support for Chinese, French, Japanese, Spanish, and other languages next year.
As for whether this AI is groundbreaking? So far, Android devices have had these features for a while and are already quite advanced.
03
Apple’s AI Launch Falls Silent
At this year’s WWDC, Apple fired its first shot in the AI era, but it made no noise. In Apple’s eyes, they redefined AI, claiming it was a major declaration akin to when they “redefined the phone” in the Steve Jobs era. However, consumers weren’t convinced, for three main reasons:
First, the AI features are very similar to Android’s. For example, the Writing Tools feature demonstrated at the iPhone 16 event allows users to rewrite, proofread, and summarize text, transcribe recorded audio into text, and help users summarize emails in their inbox. All of this looks very similar to AI features found in Samsung and Xiaomi products. Given current internet speeds, it’s hard to distinguish between edge AI and cloud AI.
Second, Apple is cutting off older iPhone users. The latest AI features are only available on the iPhone 15 Pro/Pro Max, and iPads and Macs with M1 chips or newer. Apple had been touting its Neural Engine (NPU) in its chips since 2017, but now it seems those chips are obsolete and can’t support AI at all. This move feels like Apple is “harvesting” its old users by pushing them to upgrade.
Experts suggest that older iPhones can’t run AI features due to hardware limitations, specifically RAM, not the processor. Since Apple emphasizes privacy protection and avoids sending data to OpenAI or Baidu, running large models locally significantly increases hardware demands—requiring at least 8GB of RAM. If this is the case, Apple’s strategy of forcing upgrades seems even more deliberate, and consumers are not pleased.
Third, everything in China remains uncertain. Siri’s integration with ChatGPT-4o still requires finding local partners in China, and the AI experience there might not be the same. Chinese is a complex language, and adapting edge AI for it won’t be easy. There’s no guarantee that models developed abroad will work smoothly in Chinese.
04
Apple Can’t Even Keep Up with iPhone, Let Alone AI
Forget AI for a moment—Apple has been stumbling with the iPhone 16 itself.
First, there’s a battery issue. Some users have reported that the iPhone 16 Pro Max drains battery too quickly, a common bug with new models each year, potentially related to iOS 18 or simply bad luck.
Second, there’s a reboot bug. Users on foreign forums have complained that the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max frequently freeze and reboot on their own. This issue has persisted since the iPhone 16 series was launched, and system updates haven’t fixed it.
Third, there are quality control issues. Although this year’s iPhone 16s in China haven’t been assembled in India, many cameras still have small dust particles. Even after exchanging multiple devices, users have found dust in the cameras—completely unacceptable. Other issues include frame scratches, paint chipping, and impurities in the rear glass.
Fourth, iOS 18 itself has problems. For instance, if a user touches the lower right corner of the iPhone 16’s screen, the other hand’s input stops responding temporarily. Additionally, the keyboard buttons near the lower right often become unresponsive when typing. These minor issues have become frequent after updating to iOS 18.
05
AI Development Is a Battle of Resources
Despite these setbacks, it’s too early to say that Apple is out of the AI race. Apple’s AI potential hasn’t been fully realized yet. The big promises Apple has made might not come true until 2026. By then, according to Apple, almost every Apple device with a screen will be able to run Apple Intelligence. Apple is also working to integrate AI capabilities into Vision Pro, creating a comprehensive AI ecosystem alongside smart home devices.
The AI industry requires both experience and resources. Apple has an enormous base of end-user devices, which allows it to roll out new features to a massive audience. If necessary, Apple could easily partner with leading AI companies or even acquire one to bolster its AI capabilities.
In short, these leaks show that Apple is feeling the pressure. Looking back, Apple paused the development of the next-generation high-end Apple Vision Pro, abandoned its decade-long car project, and is nowhere close to developing its own 5G modem. Innovation, as always, is difficult.
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