Apple's “major” update to its operating system will leave older iPhones out in the cold.
The iOS 18 update, scheduled for June, is expected to include four new artificial intelligence-powered features, including Large Language Models (LLMS) and a buildable AI app called iWork.
However, those features can only work with iPhones that include its beefy A12 Bionic chip — which still avoids using the iPhone 8 Plus or earlier models.
Additionally, users of the first generation of the low-cost iPhone series SE (Special Edition) series launched in 2016 will also not have access to the updated features.
Older iPhones have outdated hardware chips, slow processors and limited memory that can't support the more powerful features that come with updates.
iPhones that cannot handle iOS 18 software may lose access to future iOS updates.
Apple representatives did not immediately respond to The Post's request for comment.
Apple's A12 bionic chip was first included in the iPhone XR and XS models, which the Cupertino, Calif.-based company unveiled in late 2018.
This means that apart from the iPhone XR and XS, the second and third generations of the iPhone SE models and all smartphones in the iPhone 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15 model line will be able to enjoy the new features.
According to an Apple-related news site, other iOS 18 features users can expect include new home screen design functions. Macroomers.
MacRumors reports that Apple Maps can boast preferred route options, which will allow travelers to choose the routes they want to take rather than being limited to pre-selected options provided by Apple.
When Apple officially unveils the features of iOS 18 during its Worldwide Developers Conference from June 10 to June 14, the rumored features, including a possible partnership with Google's AI bot Gemini, will be confirmed.
WWDC is expected to kick off with a keynote – traditionally unveiling a new operating system for the iPhone, Mac, iPad, Apple Watch and TV.
Owners of the newly released Apple Vision Pro headset are also rumored to be in for an operating system update.
If the Gemini partnership turns out to be true, it will reportedly allow users of the new iPhone models to create images and write articles based on simple instructions, according to the Daily Mail.
AI is also set to be used to improve Siri, enabling the digital assistant to provide more accurate responses to queries.
Apple's messaging app will incorporate AI to “field questions and auto-complete sentences,” Bloomberg's Mark Gurman wrote in his post. “Power On” Newsletter.
“I've been told that the new operating system will be one of the largest iOS updates within the company — if not the largest — in the company's history,” Gurman said. “With that knowledge, Apple's developers conference in June should be very exciting.”
