Apple Intelligence: Free AI Features Today, Subscription Tomorrow?
- Apple’s shiny new AI toys won’t cost you a dime—initially.
- Get ready for a supercharged Siri and more, all for free with iOS 18.
- Discover why your old iPhone might not cut it for Apple’s new AI revolution.
- Dive into Apple's plans for a free AI revolution and what might come next.
One of the most exciting aspects of Apple’s new AI initiative isn't just the slew of cool features it will offer, but also that it won’t cost you extra—at least not right away. When Apple unveiled Apple Intelligence at the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC), it showcased everything from a smarter Siri to advanced writing and image generation tools. These will be included in iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS Sequoia at no extra cost beyond the hardware needed to run them.
Image credit: Apple Inc.
For Mac and iPad users, the requirement is pretty manageable, as any device with an M-series chip will handle everything Apple Intelligence can do. This includes every Mac released since late 2020 and iPad Pro and iPad Air models since early 2021. Unfortunately, iPhone users will need an iPhone 15 Pro or later to join the party, but that's still just a one-time purchase. Apple Intelligence isn't the only reason to consider upgrading to a newer iPhone model, though.
The standout here is that there are no monthly subscription fees. Unlike OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini, everyone gets Apple’s best generative AI model for the same price: zero. However, this might not last forever. As Apple expands its services, the day could come when we see an “Apple Intelligence+” paid tier for those wanting more advanced AI features.
Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman believes a subscription plan for Apple Intelligence is inevitable. In his Power On newsletter, Gurman notes Apple’s long-term plan is to create a paid subscription for extra AI features. It’s not entirely clear what form this will take, but it’s likely to offer tangible features rather than the abstract idea of more complex AI models. This will help differentiate it from competitors like OpenAI and Google, who simply charge for “smarter AI.”
Image credit: WIRED
Gurman adds that Apple aims to get a cut of what iPhone users pay when subscribing to services like ChatGPT through Apple Intelligence. This likely means Apple’s taking its standard 15%–30% cut, as with any other in-app subscription. ChatGPT is expected to be the first of several AI partners. Apple is reportedly close to deals with Google to add Gemini and was in talks with Anthropic. Apple will also need a local partner in China if it hopes to roll out Apple Intelligence there.
Even if a paid Apple Intelligence tier is in the cards, it’s likely a long way off. It will take until next year before we see all the AI features Apple has announced. In the meantime, Apple is betting that Apple Intelligence will kick off a wave of iPhone upgrades as people rush to the latest models to try out the new features.
So, while you can enjoy Apple Intelligence for free initially, the future might hold more advanced, paid features. Apple’s continuous innovation keeps us on our toes, and these potential new offerings could revolutionize the way we interact with our devices, adding a fresh layer of sophistication to the user experience.
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