This year, Apple Intelligence is coming to the iPhone and all of the features are free to use. For now, that is, because starting in 2027, Apple may start charging for AI features.
Apple Intelligence
Apple is going all out on artificial intelligence with iOS 18 by introducing Apple Intelligence. Almost all standard apps on your iPhone are expanded with useful AI functions. You get with Writing Tools a writing assistant that can summarize and rewrite texts. That’s not all, because Siri gets much smarter and you can create images by entering simple text commands.
All of Apple Intelligence’s features are coming to your iPhone with iOS 18, provided you have a device that supports the new features. Only the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max will get the AI ​​features; next month, the iPhone 16 (Plus) and iPhone 16 Pro (Max) will be added. For now, Apple Intelligence is available for free on these devices, but that could change in 2027.
Paid possible from 2027
The usually reliable Apple expert Mark Gurman predicts that it will take years before Apple starts charging for AI functions. He expects that Apple will not come up with a paid version of Apple Intelligence for another three years. This has to do with the development of the technology, which Apple needs more time for. According to Gurman, Apple Intelligence will therefore remain free for the time being.
It won’t be until 2027 that the free version of Apple Intelligence will be developed enough for the company to charge for exclusive features. Apple is expected to then launch a subscription in the form of Apple Intelligence Plus, for which you pay a monthly fee. That subscription will be similar to iCloud Plus, with more advanced features. The basic features of Apple Intelligence will remain free, according to Gurman.
No Apple Intelligence in Europe yet
If Apple decides to launch Apple Intelligence Plus, there’s a good chance it will become part of iCloud Plus or Apple One. That subscription bundle currently costs 19.95 euros per month as an individual user. With Apple Intelligence added, that price will probably increase; according to analysts, Apple could charge between 10 and 20 euros per month for more advanced AI functions. In any case, it’s almost certain that Apple Intelligence will remain free for the time being.
It’s no surprise that Apple will need years to improve Apple Intelligence, according to Gurman. The technology was announced in June, but it will still take some time before the AI ​​features are widely available. In the United States, Apple Intelligence will be available for free in the fall, although it will still be a test version of the technology. European users will have to wait even longer, with Apple Intelligence not coming here until 2025.
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