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Apple Intelligence is supported on the iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max and every later model, including the full iPhone 16 lineup, the iPhone 16e, the iPhone 17 lineup, the iPhone Air, the iPhone 17e and the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max. Older models, including the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus, do not support it, because Apple requires an A17 Pro or newer chip and 8GB of memory. iOS 27 runs on iPhone 11 and later, but Apple Intelligence features in iOS 27 still require an iPhone 15 Pro or newer. Support adds demand for these models when they are sold. A quote on Sell iPhone 15 Pro for Cash shows the value of the oldest supported model.
- Oldest supported: iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max (2023).
- Requirement: A17 Pro chip or newer and 8GB of memory.
- Not supported: iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus and every earlier model.
- Software: iOS 18.1 or later; iOS 27 is the current release.
Which iPhone models support Apple Intelligence?
The table lists every iPhone model that supports Apple Intelligence, with its chip.
| Model | Year | Chip |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max | 2026 | A20 Pro |
| iPhone 17e | 2026 | A-series, Apple Intelligence capable |
| iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max | 2025 | A19 Pro |
| iPhone Air | 2025 | A19 Pro |
| iPhone 17 | 2025 | A19 |
| iPhone 16e | 2025 | A18 |
| iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 16 Pro Max | 2024 | A18 Pro |
| iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus | 2024 | A18 |
| iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max | 2023 | A17 Pro |
Apple's Apple Intelligence page lists the supported devices and the languages available. Check it for any model released after this list.
Why do older models not support it?
Older models do not support Apple Intelligence for 2 hardware reasons:
- Memory: Apple Intelligence runs a large language model on the device, which requires at least 8GB of memory. The iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus have 6GB.
- Neural Engine performance: the on-device models need the processing capacity of the A17 Pro chip or newer.
Software updates cannot add memory or change the chip, so unsupported models will not gain Apple Intelligence through an update. The table compares the 2 iPhone 15 groups.
| Attribute | iPhone 15, 15 Plus | iPhone 15 Pro, 15 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Chip | A16 Bionic | A17 Pro |
| Memory | 6GB | 8GB |
| Apple Intelligence | No | Yes |
Does support affect resale value?
Apple Intelligence support adds to resale demand, because buyers who want the features must choose a supported model. The effect shows most clearly between models of the same year: the iPhone 15 Pro has an extra reason for demand that the iPhone 15 lacks. Support is one factor among several, including model, storage, condition and remaining iOS support. No public data isolates the dollar effect of Apple Intelligence alone. iPhone Resale Value by Model: Which Sell for the Most compares models.
What features does Apple Intelligence include?
Apple Intelligence includes 5 groups of features on supported iPhones:
- Writing Tools: rewrite, proofread and summarize text across apps.
- Image features: Image Playground, Genmoji and the Clean Up tool in Photos.
- Siri improvements: typing to Siri and better understanding of requests.
- Visual intelligence: identifying objects and text with the camera.
- Notification summaries: condensed summaries of grouped notifications.
Apple adds features with iOS updates, and availability varies by language and region. iOS 27, released on September 14, 2026, continues the same device requirement.
How do I check whether my iPhone supports Apple Intelligence?
Check whether an iPhone supports Apple Intelligence in 2 steps:
- Open Settings > General > About and read the Model Name.
- Look for Apple Intelligence & Siri in Settings; supported models running iOS 18.1 or later show it.
An iPhone 15 Pro or newer model shows the Apple Intelligence setting. Older models show Siri settings only. Which iPhone Do I Have? Find Your Model Before You Sell covers model identification.
Does storage size matter for Apple Intelligence?
Apple Intelligence needs free storage for its on-device models, about 7GB according to Apple, on supported iPhones. Every supported model is sold with at least 128GB of storage, so all configurations can run it. Larger storage remains valuable for photos and video, and it raises resale value. Does Storage Size Change What You Get to Sell an iPhone? explains storage pricing.
Should I upgrade to get Apple Intelligence?
Upgrading to get Apple Intelligence makes sense when the features matter for daily use and the current phone is an iPhone 15 or older. Selling the old phone offsets part of the cost. A seller with an iPhone 13 or iPhone 14 can sell it for cash and put the proceeds toward an iPhone 16e, iPhone 17 or a used iPhone 15 Pro. Selling an iPhone After Upgrading: A Same-Week Plan covers the sale.
Does Apple Intelligence work on refurbished or used iPhones?
Apple Intelligence works on any supported model, whether new, refurbished or used, because support depends on the chip and memory, not on the phone's history. A used iPhone 15 Pro sets up Apple Intelligence the same way as a new one, after signing in with an Apple Account and turning it on in Settings.
Is Apple Intelligence available in every country?
Apple Intelligence is available in the U.S. in English and in many other languages and regions, with availability expanding through iOS updates. Apple's support pages list current languages. For U.S. buyers, the features are available on every supported model with the device language set to a supported language.
Does selling a supported iPhone remove my Apple Intelligence data?
Erasing the iPhone before selling removes Apple Intelligence data stored on the device, along with everything else. Apple states that many requests are processed on the device, and that Private Cloud Compute requests are not stored. Sign out of the Apple Account and erase the phone before shipping. How to Factory Reset an iPhone Before Selling It covers the steps.
Which unsupported models still sell well?
Several unsupported models still sell well, because they run iOS 27 and have strong demand for their cameras, displays and battery life. Examples include the iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 14 Pro Max, iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus. A clean iPhone 14 Pro Max with high storage can earn more than a worn base iPhone 16e. Condition and storage often matter more than Apple Intelligence support.
How do supported and unsupported models compare when selling?
Supported and unsupported models differ on 4 attributes that matter to buyers. The table compares them.
| Attribute | Supported (iPhone 15 Pro and later) | Unsupported (iPhone 15 and earlier) |
|---|---|---|
| Apple Intelligence | Yes | No |
| iOS 27 | Yes | Yes, for iPhone 11 and later |
| Memory | 8GB or more | 4GB to 6GB on recent models |
| Typical resale position | Higher demand within each year's lineup | Priced mainly on age, storage and condition |
Which features use Private Cloud Compute?
Some Apple Intelligence requests are too large for the device and use Private Cloud Compute, Apple's server system built on Apple silicon. Apple states that data sent to Private Cloud Compute is used only to answer the request and is not stored. The iPhone decides which requests stay on the device. Either way, the feature set depends on the iPhone being a supported model.
Can Apple Intelligence be turned off?
Apple Intelligence can be turned off in Settings > Apple Intelligence & Siri on supported models. Turning it off frees the storage used by its on-device models after they are removed. Turning it off has no effect on resale value, because the next owner can turn it on after setup.
Is the iPhone 15 Pro a good used buy for Apple Intelligence?
The iPhone 15 Pro is the lowest-cost route to Apple Intelligence in the used market, because it is the oldest supported model. It has the A17 Pro chip, 8GB of memory, USB-C and a titanium frame. That combination supports steady resale demand for the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max. Sell iPhone 15: What an iPhone 15 Is Worth Today covers the iPhone 15 lineup.
Does ChatGPT integration need Apple Intelligence?
The ChatGPT extension in Siri and Writing Tools is part of Apple Intelligence, so it requires a supported iPhone. Separate apps, such as the ChatGPT app from the App Store, run on many older iPhones that support the app's minimum iOS version. Those apps do not depend on Apple Intelligence support.
Does Apple Intelligence affect battery life?
Apple Intelligence runs many tasks on the Neural Engine, which is designed for efficient machine learning. Downloading its models after setup uses some battery and data for a short period. Normal use has a modest effect on battery life, and Battery Health remains the main battery factor in resale grading.
What should I tell a buyer about Apple Intelligence?
A buyback does not need any information about Apple Intelligence, because support follows from the model chosen in the quote. In a private sale, the model name tells a buyer whether the phone supports it. Listing "Apple Intelligence supported" is accurate only for an iPhone 15 Pro or newer model.
Which supported model holds value best?
Among supported models, recent Pro and Pro Max models usually hold the most dollar value, because they start at higher prices and combine Apple Intelligence with the best cameras and displays. The iPhone 17 Pro Max and iPhone 18 Pro Max sit at the top. The iPhone 16e and iPhone 17e start lower and hold proportionally steady value as lower-cost supported models. Pro vs Pro Max: Which iPhone Sells for More? compares the 2 largest models.
Does Apple Intelligence work with a carrier-locked iPhone?
Apple Intelligence works on carrier-locked iPhones, because it depends on the device and the Apple Account, not the carrier. A locked phone earns a locked offer when sold, whether or not it supports Apple Intelligence.
Do iPads and Macs support Apple Intelligence too?
Apple Intelligence also runs on iPads and Macs with an M1 chip or later, and on the iPad mini with the A17 Pro chip, according to Apple. These devices follow the same memory principle as the iPhone. Selling a supported iPad or Mac follows the same preparation steps: sign out, erase and ship with a prepaid label. How to Sell an iPad for the Most Cash covers iPads.
Does Apple Intelligence need an internet connection?
Many Apple Intelligence features run on the device without a connection, while larger requests use Private Cloud Compute and need internet access.
Frequently asked questions about Apple Intelligence on iPhone
Which iPhones can use Apple Intelligence?
Apple Intelligence works on the iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max and every later model: the iPhone 16, 16 Plus, 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max, the iPhone 16e, the iPhone 17, Air, 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max, the iPhone 17e and the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max, running iOS 18.1 or later.
Does the iPhone 15 support Apple Intelligence?
The iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus do not support Apple Intelligence, because they use the A16 Bionic chip with 6GB of memory. Apple requires an A17 Pro or newer chip and 8GB of memory. The iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max, with the A17 Pro, do support it.
Will older iPhones get Apple Intelligence in a future update?
Older iPhones will not gain Apple Intelligence through an update, because the requirement is hardware: an A17 Pro or newer chip and 8GB of memory. iOS 27 runs on iPhone 11 and later, but Apple Intelligence features in iOS 27 still require an iPhone 15 Pro or newer model. Check Settings for the Apple Intelligence & Siri option to confirm support on a specific phone.
Does Apple Intelligence increase iPhone resale value?
Apple Intelligence support adds to resale demand, because buyers who want the features must choose a supported model, such as the iPhone 15 Pro over the iPhone 15. It is one factor among model, storage, condition and remaining iOS support. No public data isolates its dollar effect. Apple lists supported devices and languages on its Apple Intelligence page.
How much storage does Apple Intelligence need?
Apple states that Apple Intelligence needs about 7GB of free storage for its on-device models. Every supported iPhone is sold with at least 128GB of storage, so every configuration can run it. Keep free space available after setup so the models can download and update. Support is set by the chip and memory, so it cannot change through software updates.
Sources and references
- Apple: Apple Intelligence overview and supported devices.
- MacRumors: iOS 27 release date and features.
- Apple Support: how to get Apple Intelligence, including storage requirements.