4 reasons I’m not upgrading to an iPhone 16 Pro from my iPhone 14

I’ve had a iPhone 14 Professional Max since its launch two years in the past. Like most of us, I regretfully admit that I am on my cellphone more often than not once I’m not working or sleeping. I am additionally a giant fan of generative AI instruments, from chatbots to picture mills, although I’m cautious of their potential risks and shortcomings. With all this thought-about, you’d suppose I might be a shoo-in to improve my present smartphone for an iPhone 16 with the brand new Apple Intelligence options, but I am not satisfied.

There are compelling causes to improve to an iPhone 16, set to be launched on September 9, even in case you do not take into account the brand new Apple Intelligence options. The iPhone 16, for instance, guarantees to have the biggest iPhone show but, with thinner bezels and a taller design to permit the display screen to stretch over 6.9 inches. 

However even with all of the Apple Intelligence options we learn about and contemplating that Apple will possible reserve new ones to announce through the September 9 occasion, I am not totally satisfied to improve to a brand new iPhone but. Although some issues might get me there. 

1. We’d like a clearer Apple Intelligence timeline

In case you’re seeking to the iPhone 16 launch to get a brand new iPhone with all of the flashy AI options Apple confirmed this summer season, you will have to attend. As it’s now, we’re undecided if the iPhone 16 lineup will launch with any Apple Intelligence options. Nonetheless, we do know that Apple Intelligence will come out with iOS 18.1, however its launch timeline continues to be unclear. I might count on the iPhone 16 lineup to incorporate not less than some new AI options to entice customers to purchase a brand new iPhone at launch, however that is but to be confirmed.

Many of the extra enticing options of Apple Intelligence that Apple showcased throughout WWDC in June are supposedly coming later in 2025, which is hardly a convincing issue to fork over extra money for a brand new cellphone in September 2024. In case you’re searching for options like Genmoji, Picture Playground, and the ChatGPT integration with Siri, you will have to attend till 2025.

2. Uncertainty round on-device efficiency

Many unknowns encompass how Apple Intelligence options will carry out on the iPhone 15 Professional, Professional Max, and the brand new iPhone 16 lineup. As Apple strives to proceed its dedication to client privateness, it has suggested that the majority of its AI options will run on-device. Nonetheless, operating AI fashions on-device, even the smaller fashions that Apple plans to run, can pressure a smartphone’s efficiency.

Apple Intelligence requires not less than 8GB of RAM and an A17 or M1 Apple silicon processor or newer. Whereas the iPhone 16 lineup is predicted to run on an A18 Bionic chip and between 8GB and 12GB of RAM throughout the 4 totally different fashions, considerations about how a lot pressure the CPU will endure are legitimate. The brand new AI capabilities also can overheat the iPhone and drain its battery faster, probably decreasing the machine’s lifecycle.

3. The iPhone 16 isn’t sufficient of an improve by itself

The iPhone 14 was a giant improve from the iPhone 13 by lastly eradicating the notch in favor of the dynamic island, bringing always-on capabilities and stand-by mode with the Professional fashions, adopted by extra customization choices with iOS 17. Nonetheless, the iPhone 15 was an iterative improve. Whereas the iPhone 16 is deliberate to be a giant improve once more, most of this characterization is hinged on the Apple Intelligence options. 

However, the iPhone 16’s Apple Intelligence options (once they arrive) are undoubtedly modest in comparison with ChatGPT with GPT-4o and different AI instruments accessible now. Different instruments accessible now can do most of what Apple Intelligence guarantees; the distinction is that the latter will run on-device and be personalised to the person consumer. 

4. The iPhone 16 Professional is dearer… However is it price it?

That is proper; the brand new iPhone 16 Professional is deliberate to be dearer than the iPhone 15 Professional, so be ready to pay extra for a brand new iPhone that, to this point, is predicted to do a lot of the identical because the previous one (at first). 

The bottom iPhone 16 and 16 Plus are anticipated to be the identical value because the iPhone 15, beginning at $799. The Professional fashions are rumored to extend the beginning value to $1,099, possible as a result of including additional RAM, upgraded digicam, and new options, like a bigger display screen. 

After all, we nonetheless do not know all the things Apple has deliberate for the iPhone 16 lineup, so I could also be consuming my phrases come September 9 and throwing my cash at Apple for the most recent iPhone.

My Apple Intelligence-incompatible, lightning port-charging iPhone 14 Professional Max nonetheless performs simply as effectively once I purchased it two years in the past. Amidst rumored iPhone 16 {hardware} upgrades, I’ve but to discover a cause to pay over $1,000 for a tool that appears extra of a slight improve than anything.