Apple Intelligence: Breakthrough only in 2026 or 2027?

Apple is known for its innovation and ability to bring technology to market that improves the user experience. One of the biggest developments right now that many users are looking forward to is the introduction of "Apple Intelligence," an advanced form of artificial intelligence. While initial features of this technology are expected this year, analysts predict that it could take until 2026 or 2027 before we see "serious" AI performance on the iPhone.

According to a report from “The Street”, based Based on the analysis of Jefferies analyst Edison Lee, Apple will have a decisive advantage in the field of artificial intelligence, but this will only really have an impact on demand for new iPhone models in the coming years. Lee gives a realistic assessment of the current situation and the challenges that Apple must overcome on the way to the full introduction of Apple Intelligence.

First features of Apple Intelligence

Apple Intelligence is being rolled out gradually. As things stand, the first six features will be available in US English by the end of this month. available These features will be integrated into existing iPhones, but without a major impact on sales or the overall user experience. A new version of Siri powered by Apple Intelligence is not expected to be released until next year. However, expectations that these new features will cause a major change in the iPhone market are rather low.

Analyst opinions on AI development

Edison Lee of Jefferies has a clear opinion on the development of Apple Intelligence and the expectations associated with it. He explains that we will have to wait a few more years before AI really drives iPhone sales and demand for upgrades. There are currently limitations, especially in terms of hardware, that may not be overcome until 2026 or 2027. This delay is mainly related to the technical requirements that AI applications pose - especially in the area of memory and chip technology.

Sales Expectations and Supercycle

There has been speculation that the introduction of Apple Intelligence could trigger a "supercycle" in iPhone sales, particularly for the iPhone 16. This assumption was based on the idea that users who do not own the iPhone 15 Pro would be forced to upgrade to the newer model to benefit from its AI features. So far, however, all indicators suggest that iPhone 16 sales are roughly on par with last year, showing that consumers do not yet see AI as a sufficiently important reason to buy. Lee expects that the forecast sales growth of 5 to 10 percent will probably not be achieved.

Long-term benefits for Apple

Despite the delays in the full rollout of Apple Intelligence, Edison Lee sees a significant advantage for Apple over its competitors in the long term. Apple is the only company that can develop and operate both hardware and software in an integrated environment. This means that Apple is able to offer personalized and cost-effective AI services based on the proprietary data the company collects. This advantage could prove critical in the next few years as AI technology becomes more mature and available to the mass market.

Technical challenges

The delays in the launch of Apple Intelligence are not accidental. Lee says there are technical challenges, particularly in the areas of high-speed storage and packaging technology. These two elements are crucial to supporting AI applications on a smartphone. Lee believes that these technical hurdles will only be overcome in two to three years, meaning that "serious" AI performance will not be seen until 2026 or 2027.

Outlook on the iPhone 17

While Apple Intelligence will not play a major role for several years, analysts expect that Apple could still see some growth in iPhone sales next year. However, this is attributed less to Apple Intelligence and more to the slimmer design of the iPhone 17 Air, which is set to launch in 2025. This model could create a desire among users to upgrade to a newer version, thus giving a boost to sales.

Apple Intelligence: Exciting future, but patience still required

In summary, Apple Intelligence is certainly one of the most exciting developments in the technology industry, but consumers will have to wait a while before they can experience the full power of this AI. Analysts like Edison Lee don't see a real breakthrough until 2026 or 2027. Until then, Apple remains in a strong position to dominate the AI market thanks to its tight integration of hardware and software and its partnership with Taiwan Semiconductor. Even if Apple Intelligence won't be the deciding factor for iPhone purchases in the near future, other innovations, like the iPhone 17 Air, could drive demand for upgrades. (Image: Apple)