Apple’s latest reveal is set for tonight — here’s what we expect to see. The iPhone 16 will be making its debut tonight at 8pm in Om El Donia, streaming on the Apple website as well as the Apple TV app. The phones will be native to Apple Intelligence, but integration into older models is expected to roll out with iOS 18 (and other OS’s across the board). Or was expected, anyway.

You might have to wait a little longer for Apple Intelligence if you’re not buying the iPhone 16. iOS 18 was released for beta testing back in July with a slew of new features, and it seems that there were a few more kinks to work out than expected, delaying the launch of Apple Intelligence. Bloomberg reported that “the full set of Apple Intelligence features [will release] via multiple updates to iOS 18 across the end of 2024 and through the first half of 2025.”

Optimists will say the delay is intentional. Some analysts believe that gradual integration serves the goal to unobtrusively weave Apple Intelligence into iPhone software for a cushioned user experience — not a farfetched concept, since Apple’s dedication to UX and history of seamless integration is unmatched. This will also (whether deliberately or not) give developers the chance to build AI-driven apps or make their apps AI-compatible.

Skeptics will say that all that matters is its effect on the bottom line — and it’s not looking great. The Apple Intelligence demonstration last month already had investors feeling uneasy. Instead of grand promises of a GenAI-driven future, Apple focused on practical applications of the tech to improve already existing experiences. AI integration instead of an AI takeover may have been underwhelming for tech-loving bigwigs, and delaying those plans when the stakes were higher than usual may see a hit in Apple’s stock price.

We’ll be missing out on the most anticipated feature of Apple Intelligence. The biggest change to Siri since the digital assisstant’s launch, heralded by the tech giant as “ the start of a new era,” will be held back until later releases of iOS 18. With AI integration, we were expecting to see Siri use on-device data to field queries and execute tasks with what Apple calls Siri’s “awareness” of you within your device’s context, as well as your phone’s information.

What to be excited about: iPhone 16 will be seeing major hardware upgrades, starting with its new chip. The A18 and A18 Pro chips developed for Apple Intelligence will also make your device work faster. Better yet, your battery will last longer, hopefully alleviating the #1 gripe from Apple customers. The camera is also seeing significant changes with a 48-megapixel camera — which means better focus and better zoom capabilities — and a reported ultra-wide lens, accompanied by a new capture button for easier pics. Larger displays are also on the docket, but that’s a personal preference.

Expect the phone in your hand by the end of the month. Fellow iSheep with their trigger fingers on the Add to Cart button — and maybe a good friend abroad — will be able to get their hands on their new device soon, as they are expected to ship by 20 September. Analysts don’t expect it to be any harder on your bank account than previous models.

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