Apple, a company known for its innovative breakthroughs, seems to be behind in the artificial intelligence race, according to a recent report. The reports suggest that iPhone 16 AI power could be two years behind rivals like Google and OpenAI. The tech giant’s AI features, collectively called Apple Intelligence, are being compared unfavorably to those of rivals such as OpenAI, Google, and Meta. Industry expert Mark Gurman, in his latest Power On newsletter, highlighted that Apple may be trailing behind its competitors by at least two years.
Internal studies reportedly conducted by Apple reveal some stark contrasts. Apple’s AI technology, including the Siri assistant, is said to be around 25% less accurate than OpenAI’s ChatGPT. Furthermore, ChatGPT can reportedly answer 30% more questions compared to the new AI-powered Siri. Gurman adds that Google’s Gemini AI also seems to outperform Apple’s current offerings in terms of capabilities.
Despite these setbacks, Apple remains confident that it can bridge the gap. Gurman draws parallels to Apple’s development history, such as with Apple Maps, which initially lagged but eventually became competitive. The tech company has a track record of catching up with the competition by deploying new technology across its vast ecosystem of interconnected devices.
Rolling Out AI Across Devices
While the AI features may not have met the initial expectations, Apple is continuing to push forward. The iPhone 16 series and the latest iPads, excluding the entry-level models, support the Apple Intelligence suite. Features like writing tools and notification summaries are set to roll out on October 28, although they will be introduced gradually, with more robust updates expected by March 2025.
Additionally, the AI features are expected to arrive on the Vision Pro and Apple Watch by early 2026, at which point nearly every Apple device with a screen will likely be running Apple Intelligence. Apple’s upcoming iPhone SE 4, set for a March release, will also feature AI capabilities, as will an entry-level iPad model later that year.
iPhone 16 AI power could be two years behind rivals, raising concerns among tech enthusiasts. Despite Apple’s AI technology trailing behind competitors, Gurman remains optimistic about the company’s ability to catch up. He notes that Apple’s vast ecosystem of integrated hardware puts the company in a unique position to deploy updates rapidly and effectively. However, it remains unclear how consumers will respond to the upcoming AI features when they are finally released.
iOS 18.1, expected later this month, will be the first step in Apple’s AI journey. It will introduce a redesigned Siri interface and other AI-driven tools. However, many of the advanced features will not be available until iOS 18.4, which is scheduled for release in March.
Can Apple Close the AI Gap?
Gurman emphasizes that Apple should not be counted out. The company’s strategy of partnering with OpenAI to integrate ChatGPT into its operating systems may help address its AI shortcomings. This partnership allows Apple users to access more advanced AI capabilities, which could potentially boost Apple’s AI presence.
With rapid updates and expansions planned, it remains to be seen how quickly Apple will close the AI gap with industry leaders like OpenAI and Google.
Sales Unaffected (For Now!)
Even with updates, iPhone 16 AI power could be two years behind rivals, according to recent analyses. Interestingly, despite AI setbacks, the iPhone 16 series continues to sell well. Reports suggest that its sales numbers are comparable to those of the iPhone 15 series, which introduced major hardware changes, including the transition to USB-C and titanium construction.
Whether Apple’s AI features will eventually help or hinder the company’s hardware sales remains to be seen. However, with its history of adaptation and innovation, Apple is likely to make significant strides in the AI space over the next few years.
