Apple announces that its next generation of Apple Intelligence in iOS 27 includes a new, more powerful on-device AI model, but access to the most capable version is limited by device hardware. According to reporting that cites Apple’s requirements, the top on-device model needs a minimum of 12GB of unified memory on devices that run it locally. For iPhone, that means support is limited to iPhone Air and iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max, which are expected to meet the 12GB threshold. The standard iPhone 17 is not included because it ships with 8GB of unified memory, below the stated requirement. Apple also ties the same 12GB minimum to other platforms: iPads must use an M4 (or later) chip and have at least 12GB of unified memory, Macs must have an M3 (or later) chip and at least 12GB of unified memory, and Apple Vision Pro is supported when equipped with its M5 chip. Apple’s materials associated with the update describe the new model as enabling features such as more expressive voices and advanced dictation.
Apple’s most powerful on-device AI for iOS 27 requires iPhone 17 Pro or iPhone Air
Apple announces that its next generation of Apple Intelligence in iOS 27 includes a new, more powerful on-device AI model, but access to the most capable version is limited by device hardware. Accordi...
- Apple’s iOS 27 Apple Intelligence includes a new on-device AI model that is more powerful than previous on-device options.
- The most capable on-device model requires at least 12GB of unified memory.
- For iPhone, support is limited to iPhone Air and iPhone 17 Pro/iPhone 17 Pro Max; the base iPhone 17 is excluded due to 8GB memory.
- Apple’s requirements also specify 12GB unified memory for iPad (M4+), Mac (M3+), and Apple Vision Pro (M5).
- Apple links the new model to capabilities such as expressive voices and more advanced dictation.
Apple's most advanced on-device AI model in iOS 27 requires a minimum of 12GB of unified memory, meaning the standard iPhone 17 is excluded. The next generation of Apple Intelligence introduces a new on-device model more powerful than anything Apple has shipped before. While most iOS 27 AI features run on the same hardware supported today, including iPhone 15 Pro, the most capable model carries stricter requirements. To run Apple's most powerful on-device model, users will need one of the following devices: iPhone: iPhone Air, iPhone 17 Pro, or iPhone 17 Pro Max iPad: iPad with M4 or later with at least 12GB of unified memory Mac: Mac with M3 or later with at least 12GB of unified memory Vision Pro: Apple Vision Pro with M5 The base iPhone 17 is excluded because it ships with 8GB of memory, falling short of the 12GB threshold. The standard memory requirement for Apple Intelligence has been 8GB since its introduction, so this marks the first time Apple has raised the bar for its most capable on-device features. According to Apple's press release, the new model specifically enables features including expressive voices and more advanced dictation.Related Roundups: iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone AirTag: Apple IntelligenceBuyer's Guide: iPhone 17 Pro (Caution), iPhone Air (Neutral)Related Forum: iPhoneThis article, "Apple's Most Powerful On-Device AI Now Requires iPhone 17 Pro or iPhone Air" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
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