Apple has confirmed that the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max will receive the highly anticipated Visual Intelligence feature. Initially, this feature was believed to be exclusive to the iPhone 16 series. However, with a future iOS update, it will also be available on the older models. This announcement comes after the unexpected inclusion of Visual Intelligence on the newly released iPhone 16e. Interestingly, the 16e lacks a dedicated Camera Control button, yet it still supports the feature.
Visual Intelligence Coming to iPhone 15 Pro
Initially, the Visual Intelligence feature in Apple Intelligence was thought to be linked to the Camera Control button. This hardware addition is only found on the iPhone 16 models. However, the iPhone 16e can access the feature through the Action Button or Control Center. This has led to speculation that older Pro models might also support the feature.
An Apple spokesperson told Daring Fireball’s John Gruber that iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max users will soon gain access to Visual Intelligence through a software update. The specific iOS version was not disclosed. However, industry analysts, including Sagar Naresh Bhavsar, speculate that it will likely arrive with iOS 18.4.
The feature is expected to be implemented through the Action Button, mirroring the functionality found on the iPhone 16e. This will allow iPhone 15 Pro users to leverage the powerful visual processing capabilities of Apple Intelligence, previously reserved for the latest generation of devices.
The timing of the iOS 18.4 beta release is now a subject of keen interest. Apple’s updated iOS 18 website indicates that additional features and expanded language support will be rolled out in early April. Based on this timeline, it is widely anticipated that the iOS 18.4 beta will be released within the coming weeks of April.
The inclusion of Visual Intelligence on the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max will significantly enhance the user experience, providing access to advanced image analysis and contextual awareness. This move underscores Apple’s commitment to extending the lifespan and capabilities of its existing devices through software updates.
