Why the iPhone 16’s AI Won’t Make Me Hand Over My Hard-Earned Cash
Summary
Hey there, Apple fans! So, Apple just dropped the iPhone 16 and 16 Pro like they were hot potatoes at their latest Glowtime event. We got some swanky new buttons, fresh colors, and the promise of their shiny new AI, dubbed Apple Intelligence. But guess what? That’s still not enough to yank my wallet out of my pocket for an upgrade! Let’s start with the elephant in the room: Apple’s big AI reveal! They paraded it around like it was the latest rock star at a tech festival. Sure, it includes handy tricks like a text summary tool and the ability to snap a picture of that weird fruit at the market and discover it’s actually a jackfruit. But hold onto your iPhone 6—here’s the kicker! To even dip your toes in this AI pool, you need a top-of-the-line device because apparently, Apple thinks we all have deep pockets and the workload of a supercomputer. That’s right! Only the fancy iPhone 15 Pro, Pro Max, and the latest iPhone 16 have the horsepower to handle Apple Intelligence. So, if you’re still rolling around with your trusty iPhone 11 (like yours truly), it’s like Apple’s asking you to buy a Ferrari just to see how fast their new feature zooms by. And speaking of zoom, let’s get real—who doesn’t want a new camera button that lets you go from “let me think about it” to “POV: I’m a professional photographer” in two clicks? But do we really need AI to tell our phones how to take a decent selfie? A lot of users (25% according to a recent survey) aren’t hopping on the AI train either. Apparently, only a measly 18% of us are upgrading for the sake of AI features. Sure, the iPhone 16 comes with snazzy new features—like an A18 chip that makes your gaming experience smoother than a buttered biscuit—but at what cost? To trade in my 11, which still works like a champ (albeit like a champ who’s had too much apple cider), it’s like persuading a cat to take a bath: a monumental task! Sure, the new camera will be fab and the battery life longer, but am I supposed to break the bank just to tell my phone to remind me where I left my keys? So, no FOMO here! Apple’s taking a cautious stroll in the AI park rather than running wild like a toddler on a sugar high. While it’s nice that they’re being sensible—avoiding the AI if-I-leap-I’ll-bust-my-tailbone panic—it also means there’s nothing here that makes me scream, “Take my money!” So, for now, I’ll keep my iPhone 11, thank you very much. Sure, the iPhone 16 might be the star of the show, but my old buddy isn’t getting replaced just yet. As they say, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it—unless your old phone is begging for a serious upgrade after 10 years, in which case, call me!
Original Source: www.cnet.com
