Apple is offering a very smart free upgrade, but only if your iPhone is on this list. The tech giant is boosting its Apple Intelligence feature, and these are the iPhones that will get it.
WWDC 2026 Announcements
Apple is currently holding its yearly WWDC Developers Conference at its headquarters in Cupertino, California, and there is plenty to discuss. A wide range of updates is being released for its products, including the iPhone, with new features launching later this year that will offer better customisation, improved parental controls, faster app launching, and a more intuitive Siri assistant. It will be another blockbuster release, but those with devices compatible with Apple Intelligence look set to receive the biggest boost.
Apple Intelligence Evolution
Apple Intelligence was first announced in 2024 and had a rough start, with a number of promised features never materialising. The US technology giant has since been working hard to improve this clever service, and it seems it is now ready to roll out the changes to the general public.
Once it arrives in September, it should make life far simpler. Apple Intelligence will help organise calendars and offer one-tap suggestions based on the context of users’ conversations in Messages. For example, if you receive a message from your brother asking for "photos of mum", Apple Intelligence will display images from your photo library to speed things up.
Safari and Photos Enhancements
There are also changes to the Safari browser, including a new Notify Me feature. This lets users ask Safari to monitor a web page for changes, such as product restocks or price drops, so they can stay on top of updates they care about. Safari also gains tabs that now automatically organise themselves by topic.
Perhaps one of the biggest features comes to Photos. The new Apple Intelligence is now far better at retouching images and removing unwanted objects from a shot. There is also the ability to extend backgrounds without needing any Photoshop skills, and Apple is adding a feature called Spatial Reframing. This lets you adjust the composition after the photo is taken, so you never have to live with a slightly too-far-left shot again.
Apple’s Vision for AI
“At Apple, our mission has always been to turn the potential of advanced technology into helpful and intuitive products for everyone, and that has never been more important than today,” said Craig Federighi, Apple’s senior vice president of Software Engineering. “Truly helpful AI must be centred on our users’ needs, deeply integrated into the products they rely on every day, grounded in personal context, and built with privacy at every step. That is our vision for Apple Intelligence. With useful features for browsing the web, expressing creativity, editing photos, and so much more, today marks a big step forward on our journey to integrate powerful AI into the core of our platforms and make our products even more personal and useful.”
Compatible iPhones
So who gets this update? The improved Apple Intelligence will arrive in iOS 27 this autumn. It will be available on the iPhone 15 Pro, 15 Pro Max, iPhone 16 range, iPhone 17 models, and the iPhone Air.
