Forget the new iPhone 16 Pro, Apple had something much better

The iPhone 16 Pro may have been “built from the ground up with Apple Intelligence in mind,” but the iPhone 16 family isn’t the only iPhone option supporting new generative AI features in iOS.

iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max will support Apple Intelligence technology. Instead of paying a premium for new flagships in the hope that the AI ​​software will deliver on Apple’s promises, the 15 Pro models offer essentially the same experience as the 16 Pro models. Since they are one generation behind, consumers could expect them to get a discount and become the “affordable Pro model” for those who want AI in their iPhone.

Instead, Apple canceled the iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max.

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It is worth noting that the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max are the only iPhones that support the A17 Pro chipset. The companion iPhones 15 and 15 Plus use the A16 chipset. iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Plus remain in the offer; all use the A15 chipset.

The last iPhone still available is the third-generation iPhone SE with the A15 chipset. However, there are strong indications that Apple will refresh the iPhone SE in March 2025, which means that stocks of the current SE will need to be reduced.

Retiring A17 iPhones won’t completely get rid of Apple’s chipset – replacement parts will be needed for many years, although a support period would be factored into the manufacturing and design plan. If we put aside the issue of support and focus on the new iPhones sold by Apple, the complexity of its chipset is reduced by twenty-five percent. Depending on the specifications of the fourth-generation iPhone SE, this could reduce it by almost forty percent.

I’m sure managing the supply chain in this way played a role in this decision, but I suggest there is a psychological reason alongside the practical considerations.

The development of generative AI has turned various AI-based features into key advantages of smartphones that Apple has not been able to fully exploit. Eight months after Google launched the AI-focused Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro, Apple unveiled the awkwardly named Apple Intelligence at its global developer conference. Next month, consumers will experience the first small part of this, although the full package won’t be available until March 2025, some seventeen months after Android.

And if you want to take part in the development of generative artificial intelligence in the new iPhone and experience the phased implementation of Apple Intelligence, you have no choice but to buy one of the iPhone 16 family phones.

With iPhone sales growing steadily over the past few years, Apple is taking advantage of the opportunity presented by generative artificial intelligence to force an upgrade cycle on those who want to use the new technology. Naturally, Apple Intelligence will run on all iPhones in the 16 family. While the software is being ported to older phones, only phones with the A17 chipset will receive the ported generative AI software.

And two phones equipped with the A17 chipset have just been canceled.

While this won’t impact those who already own either phone, those looking to upgrade and get Apple Intelligence have just missed out on arguably the best value for money option available to those who need to upgrade but want to wait and see , whether Apple Intelligence is worth the extra investment for a new iPhone.

They may be able to find the iPhone 15 Pro or 15 Pro Max on sale at an online or specialty store, but this option won’t be available for long. If you want Apple Intelligence, you have no choice but to go for the newest and most expensive iPhones on the market.

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