The iPhone 16 launch is fast approaching, and some people will be excited at the prospect of being able to buy cheaper iPhones in September. As always, the iPhone 15 and iPhone 14 models will each be $100 cheaper. But I think you would be better off not getting either model, especially any iPhone 15 variant, whether the base model or the Plus.
I had no problem recommending the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus last year. Essentially, they’re souped-up versions of the iPhone 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max. They’re great devices that can last for several years. But back then, I couldn’t have foreseen Apple’s intelligence revolution coming to the iPhone.
Apple Intelligence is the biggest upgrade to the iPhone. It will impact Apple’s fall iPhone lineup like no other software feature. Older iPhones typically support most of the new features that appear in new iOS versions. Unfortunately, Apple Intelligence requires either an iPhone 15 Pro/Max model or one of the upcoming iPhone 16 variants.
The iPhone 15’s software will, of course, be updated to iOS 18. But if you want access to Apple’s AI features, including built-in ChatGPT support in Siri, the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus aren’t powerful enough for Apple Intelligence.
You may think that you don’t need generative AI features in your life. Maybe you don’t even use ChatGPT and other AI chatbots right now. But I’m sure that at some point you will need some of the features that Apple Intelligence has to offer.
The more advanced Siri experience is just one example of the use of AI on mobile that you might want to take advantage of. The iPhone 15 can’t run it, and the iPhone 14 can’t run Apple Intelligence either. So why am I so focused on the iPhone 15 models?
The iPhone 15 currently costs $799 ($829 without carrier offers). When the iPhone 16 launches, the starting price will drop to $699 (or $729). That seems like a great deal for a new iPhone that will last for several more years. But the deal doesn’t look so good when you factor in the lack of Apple Intelligence support.
Apple will discontinue the iPhone 13, which currently costs $599 (£629). The iPhone 14 will reach that price point after a $100 discount from the current $699 (£729).
A $599 iPhone 14 is still a device that can’t run Apple Intelligence. It never will. But that price is much better. The iPhone 14 and 14 Plus could be great devices for certain groups of buyers. Older adults who can’t deal with AI right now could be fine with an iPhone 14 or 14 Plus.
Meanwhile, the iPhone 16 will likely start at $799 (£829) like its predecessor. It will have 8GB of RAM and an A18-series chip with a Neural Engine that can process Apple Intelligence features on the device.
If you need a new iPhone but don’t want to spend at least $799, there’s a much better alternative. Wait for the iPhone SE 4, which is scheduled to launch early next year. It will cost between $499 and $599, but should include iPhone 16-like components in an iPhone 14 body.
The iPhone SE 4 will support Apple Intelligence for many years to come, which is why the $699 iPhone 15 is such a bad deal.
If you already own an iPhone 15 or 15 Plus and want Apple intelligence, consider trading in your model for one of the four iPhone 16 variants. Another upgrade path could be one of last year’s Pros. But Apple will stop producing the iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max once the iPhone 16 is released. You’ll have to look to carriers and other electronics retailers for deals on the iPhone 15 Pro.
