Tag: iPhone 15 Pro

  • Free Up to 7GB iPhone Storage by Disabling Apple Intelligence

    Free Up to 7GB iPhone Storage by Disabling Apple Intelligence

    With the launch of iOS 18.3, iPadOS 18.3, and macOS 15.3, Apple has introduced its newest AI-driven feature, Apple Intelligence, which is now automatically active on devices that are compatible. This collection of AI capabilities includes features like message summaries, image creation, and improved Siri interactions, but it also requires a substantial amount of storage. According to Apple’s official documentation, Apple Intelligence can take up to 7GB of space on iPhones, iPads, and Macs.

    Managing Storage Needs

    For users facing storage limitations or those who may not find the AI features beneficial, there is a way to completely disable Apple Intelligence. Once you turn it off, the local AI models will be deleted from the device, freeing up the space they occupied. This is particularly helpful for iPhone users who have limited storage, especially for those who don’t actively utilize AI-generated features or content.

    Steps to Disable Apple Intelligence

    To turn off Apple Intelligence, users can go to Settings on an iPhone or iPad, or System Settings on a Mac, and find the “Apple Intelligence & Siri” section. By toggling off Apple Intelligence, a confirmation prompt will appear, after which the system will erase AI-related resources. Some AI capabilities, like Writing Tools, Genmoji, and Image Playground, will no longer be accessible. However, it’s worth noting that certain tools, like the Clean Up function in the Photos app, might still be available.

    Apple Intelligence is unavailable in mainland China at this time, and the company has not shared a timeline for when it might be launched there. Additionally, only devices with Apple’s newest hardware, including the iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 16 series, and M-series iPads and Macs, can support Apple Intelligence. Users upgrading to iOS 18.2 must also opt-in to access the AI features.

    Customizing Your Experience

    For those who are hesitant about fully disabling Apple Intelligence, Apple allows users to selectively turn off specific features through app settings. Options like message summaries in notifications and writing assistance tools can be disabled without shutting down the entire AI suite. By managing these settings, users can customize their experience while still maintaining control over the storage and functionality of their devices.

  • iOS 18.3 Update Fixes Major Criticism of Apple Intelligence

    iOS 18.3 Update Fixes Major Criticism of Apple Intelligence

    Apple is in the process of releasing iOS 18.3, which is a 1.8 GB update that brings a variety of new features. Most of these updates are focused on Apple Intelligence, which is currently only accessible on the iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 16, and iPhone 16 Pro, and just for users in the USA at this moment. The launch of Apple Intelligence in Europe is anticipated to coincide with the arrival of iOS 18.4, set for April.

    Key Improvements

    This update largely focuses on enhancements to Notification Summaries, which faced significant backlash last year due to AI-generated misinformation. With iOS 18.3, users can now modify the Notification Summary settings directly on their lock screens. A fresh icon has been introduced, making it simpler for users to differentiate between summaries and standard notifications. For now, news apps will be left out of the summaries to prevent the spread of misleading headlines.

    New Features and Fixes

    Visual Intelligence has been upgraded to allow users to create calendar entries simply by scanning a poster or flyer with their iPhone camera. Additionally, it can now identify and label animals and plants. The calculator app has also received a handy new feature that lets users repeat a calculation by tapping the equal sign again. This update addresses various issues in the keyboard and music app as well. Furthermore, Apple Intelligence will automatically activate for anyone who is new or upgrading to iOS 18.3, meaning that users who prefer not to use this feature will need to turn it off themselves via the “Settings” and “Apple Intelligence & Siri” options.

    Conclusion

    Apple is making strides with the iOS 18.3 update, focusing on user experience and feedback. While some features are limited to specific devices and regions for now, the company is clearly working towards broader availability in the near future. Users should keep an eye on these developments and be prepared to manage their settings accordingly.

  • iOS 18 AI Features Exclusive to iPhone 15 Pro, Not Older Models

    iOS 18 AI Features Exclusive to iPhone 15 Pro, Not Older Models

    Apple has been developing a range of AI features for the upcoming iPhone 16 series and beyond, which were anticipated to be available to older models with the iOS 18 update. However, according to Mark Gurman, the more sophisticated AI features will only be accessible on the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max.

    Limited AI Features for Older iPhones

    Mark Gurman suggests that while the basic AI functions in iOS 18 will operate on-device, the more advanced features will necessitate more processing power and will depend on Apple’s servers.

    Previous reports indicate that Apple is also creating chips for its servers to manage these advanced AI features. Additionally, there are mentions of the company’s plans to utilize its M series chips in servers to process AI tasks.

    The restriction of cloud-based AI features to fewer iPhones could be due to the current limited infrastructure. Similar strategies have been adopted by Samsung and Google, who have also reserved many of their advanced AI capabilities for newer models.

    iOS 18 AI Features

    The iOS 18 update is expected to incorporate AI features such as notification summarization (termed Greymatter Catch Up), object removal from photos, an overhauled notes app with speech-to-text and summarization capabilities, among others. Siri will also gain new abilities, like opening specific documents, deleting emails, and summarizing articles.

    AI Features for Older Models

    Most text-based AI functionalities are likely to be considered basic features that can run on-device. Therefore, recent iPhone models eligible for iOS 18 (including the iPhone 11 series and above, iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, iPhone XR, iPhone SE 2nd and 3rd generations) might receive these features. However, it remains unclear which specific features will be available on-device.

    Moreover, Gurman indicates that there could be some on-device AI features that only the iPhone 15 Pro models and later are capable of handling. These functionalities might not be available on older models and the non-Pro iPhone 15 models equipped with the A16 Bionic chip.

    AI Features in iPadOS 18 and macOS 15

    iPadOS 18 and macOS 15 are also set to receive some AI features. Gurman notes that the minimum requirement for macOS and iPadOS devices will be an M1 chip or later. Consequently, Intel-powered Mac devices will not support these features, which is understandable given that Intel chips and older iPhone Bionic chips lack the necessary NPU to run on-device LLMs.

  • Resident Evil 4 Remake pushes iPhone 15 Pro to its limits, struggling to maintain 30fps

    Resident Evil 4 Remake pushes iPhone 15 Pro to its limits, struggling to maintain 30fps

    Apple’s iPhone 15 Pro Struggles with Gaming Performance in Resident Evil 4 Remake

    Apple's iPhone 15 Pro series has been highly marketed as a powerhouse for gaming, with strong performance in AAA games like Resident Evil Village. However, recent tests conducted on the upcoming Resident Evil 4 Remake reveal a less-than-optimal gaming experience on the iPhone 15 Pro. In contrast, the M2 powered iPad Pro ran the game fairly well, posing a challenge for Apple's push into the gaming market.

    Performance Tests Highlight iPhone 15 Pro's Struggles

    MrMacRight conducted performance tests comparing the iPhone 15 Pro, M1 iPad, and M2 iPad, with a specific focus on "Resident Evil 4: Remastered." The results, presented in a video, indicate that the iPhone 15 Pro struggled to deliver a satisfactory gaming performance. The game, running at a resolution of 1560×720 with MetalFX sharpening technology enabled, consistently fell short of the capped 30 FPS (frames per second) on iOS.

    Inconsistent Frame Rates and Stuttering Impact Gaming Experience

    While simpler scenes maintained a relatively stable frame rate, reaching close to 30 FPS, more intense scenarios such as combat caused a significant drop, plunging below 25 FPS and sometimes as low as 20 FPS. This resulted in severe stuttering and impacted the overall gaming experience, especially when using a sniper rifle.

    Lack of Customizable Settings and Absence of Ray Tracing

    In contrast to the successful adaptation of Resident Evil Village on the iPhone, the iOS version of Resident Evil 4 Remake lacks customizable settings and relies on preset graphics. Notably, the much-anticipated ray tracing feature, previously emphasized by Apple, is notably absent in this game.

    Heat Dissipation Issues Likely a Contributing Factor

    One prominent factor contributing to the iPhone 15 Pro's subpar performance is likely heat dissipation issues. The device experienced rapid temperature increases during testing, triggering a reduction in frequency limit and exacerbating stuttering problems. This suggests that the iPhone 15 Pro may struggle with sustained gaming sessions.

    M2 iPad Pro Emerges as a More Reliable Option

    Interestingly, while the iPhone 15 Pro faced challenges with Resident Evil 4 Remake, the iPad Pro equipped with the M2 chip showcased superior performance. Running the game at a higher resolution with a more stable frame rate, the M2 iPad Pro emerged as a more reliable option for gamers.

    In conclusion, the iPhone 15 Pro's performance in Resident Evil 4 Remake falls short of expectations, with inconsistent frame rates and stuttering issues. The absence of customizable settings and ray tracing further contributes to a less-than-optimal gaming experience. Apple may need to address heat dissipation issues to improve the gaming performance of their flagship iPhone series. Meanwhile, the M2 iPad Pro demonstrates its capabilities as a viable alternative for gamers seeking a smoother gaming experience.