Apple has unveiled its highly anticipated iPhone 16 series, packed with impressive new features. Among these are the upgraded A18 chips, larger displays for the Pro models, enhanced Camera Control, improved battery performance, and advancements in Apple Intelligence and Visual Intelligence. However, notably, several of these features will not be available at the time of the launch. Below, we explore the exciting functionalities that will be missing when the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 are released next week.
Camera Control’s Two-Stage Shutter
One standout feature of the iPhone 16 series is the new Camera Control physical button.
This feature allows users to quickly access the camera, adjust zoom levels with a slider, and capture images with a simple press. A more advanced two-stage shutter function will be introduced later this year, enabling users to lock focus and exposure with a gentle press to reframe shots without losing focus on the subject.
Later this year, Camera Control will introduce a two-stage shutter that allows you to lock focus and exposure easily, facilitating easier composition of your photographs.
Introducing the New Siri
During the launch event, Apple highlighted their redesigned Siri, which features an engaging glow animation. However, users will initially interact with the current version of Siri when the iPhone 16 ships. The updated, more intelligent Siri will not debut until the release of iOS 18.1, which will incorporate Apple Intelligence capabilities.
Visual Intelligence
Another intriguing feature tied to Camera Control is Visual Intelligence, which will also see its launch delayed.
This functionality is designed to utilize the camera for enhanced recognition of objects and locations in the user’s surroundings. Eventually, it will allow users to easily obtain information about restaurants, schedule events from flyers, and even identify dog breeds. Visual Intelligence aims to streamline user interaction with external tools such as Google and ChatGPT for quick information access.
Camera Control will provide visual intelligence that helps users interact with their environment more effectively, offering features like quick access to restaurant reviews and details about nearby businesses.
Genmoji, AI Notifications, and Additional Apple Intelligence Features
Apple dedicated a significant portion of their presentation to showcasing Apple Intelligence, yet none of these features will be available upon the iPhone 16’s initial launch.
The following expected AI functionalities will be absent:
- Genmoji
- Summaries for AI notifications
- Photo app enhancements
- Advanced writing tools
- Integration with ChatGPT
- And more
The first wave of these new AI capabilities is set to arrive with the iOS 18.1 update in October, with additional features expected in subsequent updates through 2025.
The iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro will still offer a wealth of features upon their release, despite the absence of several anticipated functionalities. While the advanced Camera Control capabilities are worth waiting for, many going into the iPhone 16 should expect a robust experience nonetheless. It certainly raises questions about the rollout of features that are designed for devices proclaimed to be built for AI from the ground up.
Which of these missing features are you most eager to see? Do you think it detracts from the overall launch experience? Share your thoughts in the comments section.