Apple Intelligence on iPhone (2023–2025): Which Models Support It and How to Choose

iPhone lineup with Apple Intelligence

Choosing a new iPhone now hinges on one question: does it support Apple Intelligence? Even within the same generation, support is split, and that will shape your everyday experience far more than a small price gap. This guide organizes the past three model years (2023–2025) to show where Apple Intelligence works, what it enables, and how to choose with confidence—using official information as the baseline.

What Is Apple Intelligence?

Apple Intelligence is Apple’s on-device–first AI layer introduced in 2024. It brings:

Writing help: generate, summarize, or rewrite text
Photo edits like object removal
A smarter, context-aware Siri
Cross-app understanding of what you’re doing
Optional, permissioned access to ChatGPT

Most processing stays on the device; heavier tasks go to Apple silicon servers via Private Cloud Compute. Apple states data is not stored or used for training.

Official Support Requirements (iPhone)

According to Apple’s support docs, Apple Intelligence runs on:

iPhone 15 Pro / 15 Pro Max
iPhone 16, 16 Plus, 16 Pro, 16 Pro Max
iPhone 16e
iPhone 17, 17 Pro, 17 Pro Max
iPhone Air

The easy-to-miss point: the iPhone 15 line supports Apple Intelligence only on the Pro models. The 15 and 15 Plus do not.

Model-by-Model: Last 3 Years

2023: iPhone 15 Series

Supports: 15 Pro, 15 Pro Max (A17 Pro meets the AI requirement)
Not supported: 15, 15 Plus
Attractive used prices, but no AI features now or later; future OS experience may diverge.

2024: iPhone 16 Series

Supports: 16, 16 Plus, 16 Pro, 16 Pro Max
Marketed as “Designed for Apple Intelligence,” powered by A18/A18 Pro. From this generation, you don’t need a Pro to get the AI.

2025: iPhone 16e

Supports: 16e (A18)
Practical, lower-priced option for “I want the AI, not the Pro price.”

2025: iPhone 17 Series

Supports: 17, 17 Pro, 17 Pro Max
Apple Intelligence is standard; more headroom for on-device AI.

2025: iPhone Air

Supports: iPhone Air
Lightweight, portable, and AI-enabled for users who prioritize carryability.

What Apple Intelligence Can Do (High-Impact Uses)

Writing tools – Summarize long emails, rewrite in different tones, draft replies.
Benefit: cuts daily writing time.
Caution: summaries can omit details; verify important info in the original.

Notification & mail digests – Surfaces the key points across alerts and messages.
Benefit: reduces “inbox reading” time; helps prioritize.

Photo editing (Clean Up) – Removes people or objects.
Use for travel and social photos; not suitable for evidence or documentation.

Image Playground / Genmoji – AI image and custom emoji generation.
Good for social posts and expressive messaging.

Smarter Siri – More natural requests with context awareness.
Note: features roll out by OS version, region, and language.

ChatGPT integration – Can call ChatGPT from Apple Intelligence with explicit permission.
Be mindful of personal data when invoking external models.

Shortcuts and automation – Example flows: AI summary → Notes, meeting summary → To‑Dos, clipboard cleanup.
Benefit: easy to make repeatable, habit-forming workflows.

Japanese Language Support & Rollout Timing

Apple is rolling features out in stages:

Oct 2024: initial release
Dec 2024: feature expansion
Apr 2025 onward: wider language/region support, including phased Japanese coverage

Even on a supported device, some capabilities may appear later. Always confirm current availability in Apple’s official support notes.

Which iPhone to Buy? Quick Recommendations

Want affordable AI features: iPhone 16e or a well-priced used 15 Pro
Family-friendly, balanced longevity: iPhone 16 series
Latest and most future-proof: iPhone 17 series or iPhone Air
Price first, no AI needed: iPhone 15 / 15 Plus (knowing AI isn’t supported)

Bottom Line

The iPhone 15 Pro is the first Apple Intelligence-capable model; everything non‑Pro before that is out.
The 16 series onward is built with AI in mind, reducing feature gaps across trims.
Unsupported models will likely feel more limited over time as AI features deepen.
AI helps with everyday efficiency, but human review still matters for summaries and generated content.

If you’re upgrading now, decide whether AI support will matter to you for the next few years. Choosing a supported model today prevents an avoidable gap in everyday iPhone experience tomorrow.