For generative AI features, the iPhone 16’s processor may receive a significant AI improvement

Since 2017, iPhone chipsets have featured a sub-standard Neural Engine. A neural engine supports AI-related tasks. According to some fresh pieces of information, the company could introduce major changes to this hardware. According to the report shared by Taiwan’s Economic Daily, the upcoming A18 and M4 chipsets will feature big improvements in the number of built-in AI computing cores.

Well, it is directly related to Apple’s Neural Engine. It is reported that the upcoming iPhone 16 series will be powered by A18 chipsets. If Apple were to genuinely improve its AI silicon later this year, it wouldn’t come as a surprise. After all, generative AI features may be coming later this year, according to CEO Tim Cook, while iOS 18 leaks suggest AI-related changes.

With the addition of improved AI hardware, we can expect improvements to Siri, photo editing, and other related features. Android OEMs have begun offering AI features on their devices, like audio-erasing technology, text/document summarization, image expansion, live call translations, and generative image editing. We can expect some similar features on the iPhone in the future.

It makes sense for Apple to offer these hardware upgrades with an eye toward future updates, even if the company doesn’t have any significant AI features planned for the iPhone 16 series. However, we are curious about the implications of the iPhone 16’s allegedly significant AI boost for previous iPhone models. As a result, we anticipate that some of Apple’s AI updates won’t work on older devices. But all we can do is wait and see.