Apple may be touting Apple Intelligence as the main reason to upgrade to the iPhone 16, but most smartphone buyers seem to be far more interested in fundamentals like battery life.
Research shows that only a relatively small number of consumers are currently using AI features on their smartphones, and it doesn’t seem to be a motivator for purchase yet…
Apple focused on Apple Intelligence in its iPhone 16 keynote and has talked a lot about this topic elsewhere.
Teens seemed to find this argument persuasive, with 30% of them saying they would upgrade because of AI. but, CNET A study of all U.S. adults found that it has not been replicated more broadly.
They found that only 10% of smartphone owners currently use AI for tasks such as photo editing, and only 12% use generative AI services like ChatGPT. . Only 14% said they were excited about future AI capabilities.
As for the reason for the upgrade, the news is a little better.
Only 18% say AI integration is their main motivation for upgrading their phone. In fact, according to respondents, the top factors for purchasing a new device are longer battery life (61%), more storage (46%), and better camera features (38%).
That’s not good news for now if Apple wants to directly monetize its AI capabilities through the Apple Intelligence+ service at a later date.
Almost half of smartphone owners say they are not willing to pay extra to access AI on their smartphones.
Subscription fatigue is a factor here, according to the site, with the average American currently spending more than $1,000 a year on streaming services and unwilling to spend more.
9to5Mac’s opinion
These findings aren’t all that surprising. Apple is talking about AI right now, but it’s important to note that consumers, like those driving photo processing, are starting to see more of it than the background usage they’ve had for years without thinking of it as AI. There were very few opportunities to actually experience it.
The real test will not be how many people upgrade today for AI capabilities, but how it will fare once Apple Intelligence is more fully deployed and early adopters begin reporting on their experiences. The question is whether it will change to.
Similarly for paid services, see how useful iPhone owners find the AI features once they experience them, and whether there is a good reason to upgrade to a paid version that Apple may offer in the future. Must be.
Image: 9to5Mac, a composite of images by Apple and Maxim Berg on Unsplash
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