Hey iPhone users, you didn't think Apple would give you Apple Intelligence without having to deal with Apple monetization, did you? Some analysts predict that the tech giant could charge as much as $10 to $20 per month for some of the more advanced Apple Intelligence features during one phase of this gradual rollout. Apple has released some AI features with the Apple Intelligence Beta, which can only be installed on iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max models purchased in the US running the iOS 18.1 Developer Beta.
Anyone who does not install the beta software will have to wait until iOS18.1 is released to use the Apple Intelligence feature, and they must have a iPhone 15 Pro or iPhone 15 Pro Maxor one of the four new models in the iPhone 16 lineup. Some highly anticipated AI features, including the ability to create custom emojis and those linked to the virtual digital assistant Siri, may not be available until 2025.
Once Apple releases all of its Apple Intelligence features, Neil Shah, a partner at Counterpoint Research, said on CNBC that Apple plans to subsidize this expensive investment in artificial intelligence by asking its customers to pay $10 to $20 each month for premium Apple Intelligence features. Shah says that monthly fee could be rolled into Apple One, its service package.
The iOS 18.1 developer beta allows certain iPhone users in the US to aggregate web pages in Safari. | Image credit: PhoneArena
Ben Wood, head of research at CCS Insight, was also interviewed on CNBC and pointed out that Apple is one of the few companies in the connected device industry that has successfully found a way to monetize its services division, so it would make sense for Apple to charge for some Apple Intelligence features.
“Apple is one of the few connected device companies that has successfully monetized the value-added services it offers, setting a precedent for its users to pay for more premium services. On this basis, it cannot be ruled out that Apple may decide to charge for advanced features within its Apple Intelligence offering.” – Ben Wood, Research Director CCS Insight
Apple expects that many iPhone users who own a model that does not support Apple Intelligence will upgrade to a new model. iPhone16 phone next month. Apple has admitted that an iPhone must have 8GB of RAM to use Apple Intelligence. That happens to be the amount of memory in the iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Maxand all four upcoming iPhone16 Series models. Anyone with an iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus or older who wants Apple Intelligence must upgrade to at least iPhone 15 Pro.
