TRUTH of Apple Intelligence! Testing iOS 18 on iPhone 16..

The author begins by describing their experience with Apple’s new non-Pro device to test out 'Apple Intelligence,' a feature set to roll out in October. They have been using the iOS 18.1 beta version on their iPad and are excited to show the current state of Apple Intelligence. The author notes that while Apple Intelligence is still in its infancy, with some features like Siri being somewhat basic, it does provide insights into Apple's future technology direction. They also point out that the orders for non-Pro iPhone variants have increased while Pro variants have decreased by 16%, signaling a shift in consumer preferences.

The author shares their first impressions after unboxing a non-Pro iPhone model for the first time in four years. They comment on the lightweight feel of the device, contrasting it with the heavier Pro variants, particularly the Pro Max. The video being recorded with the iPhone 16 Pro Max highlights Apple Intelligence in action, such as enabling the feature via the settings and voice selection options. The author briefly experiments with different accents for the voice feature, eventually settling on the American voice after finding other accents less accurate.

The author explores Apple Intelligence's voice capabilities, testing Siri's knowledge and comparing it to Google. Siri's responses, particularly around Apple’s declining sales figures, are criticized for being basic and reliant on Google searches. The author mentions that Apple Intelligence is still behind other platforms, especially with no integration of ChatGPT. For tasks like taking screenshots on Windows or Mac, the author finds Siri’s answers lacking compared to Google, which provides more comprehensive instructions.

Apple Intelligence offers new writing tools such as proofreading, rewriting, and adjusting the tone of written content. The author particularly appreciates the proofreading feature, which corrects errors like 'leadership' instead of 'dealership' in tweets. However, they note that some features, like making text professional or friendly, alter the tone too much and feel unnatural for personal use. The author believes the proofreading tool is a helpful 'Grammarly-like' addition, especially useful for dating apps and other informal contexts where proper grammar is important.

The author examines the Apple Intelligence summary feature, which works for apps like calendars, podcasts, websites, and emails. However, they find it inconsistent, with important calendar events like birthdays missing from summaries. In contrast, summaries for websites like CNBC articles and emails (e.g., from newsletters like Morning Brew) work well, albeit not perfectly. The author highlights that Apple Mail offers more integrated features than Gmail, where third-party tools like Gemini are needed for similar functionalities.

Apple Intelligence includes a cleanup tool in the Photos app that removes reflections and enhances images. The author finds this feature enjoyable and effective, noting how easy it is to use. However, some aspects of the Memories feature, like creating videos through chatbots, are not fully functional yet, as the system hasn't processed all their photos and videos. The author appreciates the studio audio enhancements on the iPhone 16, though they expect more features to roll out by December.

The author closes with advice for students looking to buy the new iPhone, suggesting they purchase unlocked devices and use affordable carriers like Mint Mobile. They emphasize that while Apple Intelligence is promising, it’s still developing, and users should be cautious about over-investing in its current iteration. The author recommends using a comparison chart from a YouTuber to assess yearly costs based on different carriers, reminding viewers to use both 'Apple intelligence' and their own when making purchasing decisions.