On Monday, Apple rolled out the iOS 18.4 update, which brought a host of enhancements for iPhone users. The update features new toggles in the Control Centre, a set of fresh emojis, Priority Notifications, a customization app for the Apple Vision Pro, and an expanded availability of Apple Intelligence. Among these updates, the most significant addition is the availability of Visual Intelligence on Apple’s premium iPhone models for 2023, specifically the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max.
Understanding Visual Intelligence
Visual Intelligence, a product of Apple’s proprietary Apple Intelligence suite, serves as a visual lookup tool designed to help users swiftly identify objects and places. This function debuted with the iPhone 16 series in September. According to Apple, the tool can interact with text in various ways, enabling users to summarize and translate it across different languages, read text aloud, and recognize phone numbers or email addresses for saving in contacts.
In addition, users can utilize the AI tool to identify species of plants and animals or obtain information on restaurants and businesses. Apple indicates that iPhone users can also activate web searches to find details about products they admire, tackle math problems, or simply request additional information from ChatGPT.
Essentially, Visual Intelligence acts as Apple’s equivalent to Google Lens, allowing users to aim the iPhone’s camera at an object and retrieve pertinent information.
Availability of Visual Intelligence
Visual Intelligence is accessible on the iPhone 16e running iOS 18.3 or later, as well as on the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max with iOS 18.4 or more recent software. To access this feature, Apple Intelligence must be enabled, although it is worth noting that the AI suite is not yet available in all languages or regions.
Apple has confirmed that the AI suite is compatible with the complete iPhone 16 series—which includes the iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 16 Pro Max, and the newly added iPhone 16e—but only the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max from the previous generation support this feature.
Utilizing Apple Intelligence on iPhone 15 Pro Models
For the iPhone 16 series, Visual Intelligence can be activated through the new Camera Control button. As the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max lack this button, Apple has configured the Action button to access the feature. To enable Visual Intelligence:
- Navigate to Settings > Action Button. An illustration of the left side of the iPhone will appear, showing icons for various actions that can be assigned to the Action button.
- Swipe left or right until you find the Visual Intelligence option on the screen.
- Point your iPhone’s camera at an object, then press and hold the Action button.
- You can opt to ask Apple Intelligence questions about the object or initiate a web search for it using your chosen search engine.
Besides the Action button, users can also add Visual Intelligence as an icon on the lock screen or as a dedicated option within the Control Centre.
