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Shocking Survey: 73% of iPhone Owners Say AI Is 'Useless'
- A new survey shows 73% of iPhone users dismiss Apple’s AI as utterly useless.
- Despite all the buzz, most iPhone fans aren’t impressed with Apple Intelligence.
- The majority wouldn’t pay for extra AI features—even when bundled with their iPhones.
In a stunning revelation, a recent survey indicates that a vast majority of smartphone users find the AI features on their devices practically "useless." Despite the fervor around Apple Intelligence, Galaxy AI, and Google Gemini, everyday users appear far less enthusiastic than tech marketers would have us believe.
Photo via CNET // A woman uses Apple Intelligence to create a "memory movie" in seconds.
Vast Majority Say AI is "Useless"
A survey conducted by SellCell—with input from over 2,000 smartphone owners—paints a sobering picture. According to the data, 73% of iPhone users and an even higher 87% of Samsung Galaxy users say that AI “adds little to no value” to their smartphone experience. Notably, the survey targeted users who own devices equipped with AI—specifically, iPhone 15 Pro models or newer and Galaxy S22 models or newer.
Furthermore, when asked about paying for continued access to AI features, an overwhelming 86.5% of iPhone users and 94.5% of Galaxy users would refuse a subscription. These figures suggest that even as manufacturers invest heavily in artificial intelligence, most consumers remain unconvinced of its practical benefits.
Photo via X // One useful feature of Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhones are notifications summaries. But the rollout of these new features hasn't been without any road bumps.
On a related note, Apple recently confirmed that the long-awaited "more personalized Siri" will not debut in iOS 18.4 or 18.5 as initially expected but has been pushed back to "the coming year," leading many to speculate that it might not launch until iOS 19 or later. These Apple Intelligence features, which were unveiled at WWDC with high expectations for a gradual rollout, now face a significantly shifted timeline.
According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, Apple executives—including Craig Federighi—expressed "strong concerns internally" over these features' performance in tests, with some insiders even suggesting they may need to be rebuilt from scratch or scrapped entirely. LLM expert Simon Willison warned that Apple's AI-driven Siri might be vulnerable to prompt injection attacks, a risk that underscores Apple's historical prioritization of security over immediate user experience. Reflecting these challenges, Apple has already begun removing some online ads for Apple Intelligence, signaling a reconsideration of its AI strategy for the iPhone 16 lineup.
Photo via Tari Ibaba on Medium // Another Apple Intelligence notification summary fail.
All of this brings us back to the SellCell survey. It doesn’t just highlight a general apathy towards the current iteration of AI services like Apple Intelligence by users—it also uncovers significant differences in how users approach AI:
- Only about 41.6% of iPhone users and 46.9% of Galaxy users have even tried AI features, meaning that more than half of the users with compatible devices haven’t engaged with these tools at all.
- Among iPhone owners, 57.6% admitted they hadn’t updated to the latest software that enables Apple Intelligence, while 36.7% found the AI features not useful and 18.2% deemed them inaccurate. Samsung users exhibited similar reservations, with 44.2% calling AI “not useful” and 35.5% reporting inaccuracy issues. Privacy concerns also kept 30.1% of Galaxy users from using AI.
- Interestingly, while only a small fraction of Galaxy users (9.7%) would switch brands for better AI features, nearly 16.8% of iPhone users claimed they might consider switching to a rival for superior AI—yet overall, only 47.6% of iPhone users view AI as an important factor when buying a new phone (compared to just 23.7% of Samsung users).
It’s a head-scratcher: with so much AI buzz, why are consumers so disinterested? SellCell, and others, say there are several potential explanations.
Environmental Concerns
AI development is notoriously resource-intensive, consuming vast amounts of water and generating significant CO₂ emissions. For eco-conscious users, these issues may overshadow any perceived benefits.
Cultural Impact
TechRadar’s Editorial Associate Rowan Davies has even described generative AI as a contributor to a “cultural genocide.” This stark language reflects a broader skepticism about whether AI might undermine human creativity—a sentiment that resonates with many users.
Frustrating Rollouts
Prolonged, messy software updates have plagued both Apple Intelligence and Samsung’s One UI 7. Even as a tech journalist who thrives on innovation, I’ve found these rollouts difficult to follow, which likely mirrors the disillusionment felt by many everyday users.
Ultimately, it appears that despite the impressive technological capabilities showcased at product launches, AI remains more a buzzword than a transformative tool in the hands of most consumers. As someone who’s followed the evolution of smartphones for years, I’m not entirely surprised. If AI features are clunky to use or seem like an afterthought, it’s no wonder users are tuning them out.
Photo via Revert to Saved // At the end of the day, it will be interesting to see how Apple Intelligence evolves. But for right now, it seems most users aren't particularly happy.
Final Thoughts
The survey’s findings are a wake-up call for tech giants: while artificial intelligence is heralded as the next frontier, the average smartphone owner isn’t convinced. With nearly three-quarters of iPhone users and almost 90% of Galaxy users dismissing AI’s value, it’s clear that Apple, Samsung, and others need to rethink how they integrate and present these features. As the industry continues to push forward, the real challenge will be to create AI tools that are genuinely useful, accurate, and seamlessly integrated into our daily lives.
For now, the data suggests that, despite the dazzling promises made at product launches, mobile AI may still be more hype than help for the majority of users.
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Thank you for visiting Apple Scoop! As a dedicated independent news organization, we strive to deliver the latest updates and in-depth journalism on everything Apple. Have insights or thoughts to share? Drop a comment below—our team actively engages with and responds to our community. Return to the home page.Published to Apple Scoop on 9th March, 2025.
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