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Ready for iOS 18 and Apple Intelligence? Your iPhone Might Not Get Both

Many older iPhones will get the iOS 18 update, but only newer models will support Apple's AI system.

Nelson Aguilar
Nelson Aguilar is an LA-based tech how-to writer and graduate of UCLA. With more than a decade of experience, he covers Apple and Google and writes on iPhone and Android features, privacy and security settings and more.
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Nelson Aguilar
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ios 18 on iphone screen

Find out which iPhone models will support iOS 18 and Apple Intelligence.

 Apple/Screenshot by CNET

Apple's iOS 18 update is coming to iPhones later this year. Announced Monday at the company's WWDC conference, the new operating system allows you to more fully customize the home screen and control center, lock and hide applications, access the overhauled Photos app and take advantage of Apple Intelligence -- Apple's new AI system for the iPhone and other devices.

Read more: How to Download the iOS 18 Developer Beta Right Now

But will your iPhone even support iOS 18? And if so, will it support the Apple Intelligence features?

Here's everything you need to know. While you're here, check out everything announced at WWDC 2024.

Watch this: iOS 18 Brings New Tapback Features and Text Over Satellite

Which phones will support iOS 18?

For iOS 18, you'll be happy to know that every iPhone model that currently supports iOS 17 will also support iOS 18. If you're currently running iOS 17, you'll definitely be able to upgrade to iOS 18. Here's the full list of the iPhone models that will support iOS 18:

And while it hasn't been announced yet, the iPhone 16 series will almost certainly arrive running iOS 18.

But will my iPhone support Apple Intelligence?

Apple Intelligence, Apple's generative AI system for your iPhone, is one important aspect of iOS 18. (Note that Apple Intelligence will be released later this year, as a beta. It's currently not available on the iOS 18 developer beta.)

You can use Apple Intelligence to quickly summarize text in Safari, create personalized images in Messages and ask Siri to perform more complex tasks than ever before -- but Apple Intelligence isn't coming to every iPhone.

 Only a few select iPhone models will support Apple Intelligence:

And that's it, unfortunately.

The iPhone 15 Pro Max

It's a sure bet that at the very least, the still unannounced iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max will support Apple Intelligence.

 Patrick Holland/CNET

These two models are the only ones that have the A17 Pro processor, which is the latest and most advanced chipset Apple has to offer. These are the only two devices, for now, that are capable of supporting the new on-device AI features that Apple Intelligence will bring later this year.

The iPhone 16 will surely be able to support Apple Intelligence, but it's not clear if only certain models will have it, or if the entire series will offer the AI features.

Watch this: Everything Announced at Apple's WWDC 2024