iPhone 16/Plus iPhone 15 Pro users, and prospective iPhone 16e users, this question is for you.

[goldmac2006]

I came across y’all’s explanation for why most iPhone 15 Pro users are hesitant to upgrade to the iPhone 16. I heard from ’s reveal mentioned that the camera control can be replaced with the action button.

However, I recently found something interesting on the Apple website about the iPhone 16e. It states that visual intelligence is now an action for the action button. This means that all iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 16 series users, alongside the iPhone 16e users, will gain this action for their existing Apple intelligence-supported iPhones. I believe this will be implemented in iOS 18.4.

Please let me know if this is indeed true. I appreciate your attention to this matter. Thank you, and take care.

 

[jntdroid]

...visual intelligence is now an action for the action button. This means that all iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 16 series users, alongside the iPhone 16e users, will gain this action for their existing Apple intelligence-supported iPhones. I believe this will be implemented in iOS 18.4...

Nobody really knows this yet. And while I would like to think it'll happen, and there seems to be zero reason it couldn't happen, sometimes Apple is just Apple and will withhold features just because.

 

[goldmac2006]

Nobody really knows this yet. And while I would like to think it'll happen, and there seems to be zero reason it couldn't happen, sometimes Apple is just Apple and will withhold features just because.

The iPhone 15 Pro still doesn’t have visual intelligence, which is the only Apple Intelligence feature missing. We’ll have to wait until iOS 18.4 comes out in beta to see if it finally adds visual intelligence to our 15 Pros. I hope it does, and we can use the action button to add it.

 

[gwang73]

I hope they do add it to the 15 Pro but I think they won’t and use the excuse that it can only be supported on the A18 chip.

Only 7 more months till the 17 Air comes out…

 

[Brachaci]

There is still chance, that the visual intelligence will get to the 15 Pro series. It isn't that long ago when Apple claimed the Stage Manager feature requires the M-series chip to work properly and here I am using the Stage Manager on my intel i5 iMac from 2020.

 

[goldmac2006]

I hope they do add it to the 15 Pro but I think they won’t and use the excuse that it can only be supported on the A18 chip.

Only 7 more months till the 17 Air comes out…

I’m glad you spoke up, @gwang73. I also found a YT video and it does a good job explaining why iPhone 15 Pro users should hold off on the upgrade to the 16 Pro in favor of camera control. Nor 16e!

There’s no speed difference between the A17 Pro and the A18, and in fact the A18 Pro is only slightly faster for AI. I’m an iPhone 15 Pro user, too, and we definitely need Apple to add visual intelligence as an Action Button action. At the very least, we should be able to add it as a Control in Control Center.

 

[gwang73]

I’m glad you spoke up, @gwang73. I also found a YT video and it does a good job explaining why iPhone 15 Pro users should hold off on the upgrade to the 16 Pro in favor of camera control. Nor 16e!

There’s no speed difference between the A17 Pro and the A18, and in fact the A18 Pro is only slightly faster for AI. I’m an iPhone 15 Pro user, too, and we definitely need Apple to add visual intelligence as an Action Button action. At the very least, we should be able to add it as a Control in Control Center.

There are architectural differences between the A18 and A17 Pro chips and the A18 is higher performance in every way. Also, the new GPU cores support 8k video on the 16 Pro and not other devices. I’m not trying to justify if they don’t bring the function to the 15 Pro but just thinking if they don’t, this will be the excuse they use, whether true or not.

Also, I don’t agree with the video. The camera button is way more functional than the action button.

I didn’t upgrade my 15 Pro mostly because I didn’t want a heavier device and the new camera button on the 16 wasn’t that valuable to me.

 

[goldmac2006]

There is still chance, that the visual intelligence will get to the 15 Pro series. It isn't that long ago when Apple claimed the Stage Manager feature requires the M-series chip to work properly and here I am using the Stage Manager on my intel i5 iMac from 2020.

There are architectural differences between the A18 and A17 Pro chips and the A18 is higher performance in every way. Also, the new GPU cores support 8k video on the 16 Pro and not other devices. I’m not trying to justify if they don’t bring the function to the 15 Pro but just thinking if they don’t, this will be the excuse they use, whether true or not.

Also, I don’t agree with the video. The camera button is way more functional than the action button.

I didn’t upgrade my 15 Pro mostly because I didn’t want a heavier device and the new camera button on the 16 wasn’t that valuable to me.

Thanks a bunch to all my iPhone 15 Pro buddies for answering my question! Just a quick suggestion for Apple to add to our 15 Pros. I heard folks used a hack on ‘nugget’ to get Stage Manager on 6th gen iPad minis, 10th gen iPads, and older 2020 iPad Airs. This also caused folks on iOS 18.2 beta 2 to far back as iOS 18.1 beta to hack their iPhone 14 Pro and earlier and these aforementioned iPads to get Apple intelligence.

But I’m not keen on spending an extra $600 to trade in and upgrade to the 16. We all want to keep our iPhones for at least 4-5 years, enjoy all the Pro features, and everything that comes with them. We still love the cameras, action mode, ProRes, long battery life, and even all the AI!

Among all the theoretical stuff about Apple Intelligence features that set the iPhone 16e apart from other iPhones with this feature, including Visual Intelligence, I feel the same way as all my 15 Pro users in this thread. I don’t think camera control is a big deal for me. It caused various third party case manufacturers to cut out an extra hole for the touch sensitive button, and also get approval from Apple to make a covering for it if they want. Photographic styles are just an extension of adjusting them. How would the 16 Pros weigh heavier than our 15 Pros? The iPhone 14 Pro is the heaviest iPhone ever made, even heavier than both 15 and 16 Pro models!

This underrated iPhone 16e doesn’t make any sense why it can have visual intelligence with lower 4 cores and the same A18 chip. We 15 Pro users have 6 cores, not 4. Is it all about the bump up in RAM the A18 has, or is it similar? All these little details and surprises in this release. Well, if we take a look back at summertime when Apple Intelligence was first introduced in WWDC, many people were amazed. But all the folks who had iPhone 14 Pro models thought they’d get it, but it wasn’t all that true, long story short.

 

[kitKAC]

There is still chance, that the visual intelligence will get to the 15 Pro series. It isn't that long ago when Apple claimed the Stage Manager feature requires the M-series chip to work properly and here I am using the Stage Manager on my intel i5 iMac from 2020.

They were referring to M series iPads, not Macs.

 

[goldmac2006]

They were referring to M series iPads, not Macs.

Oh, I forgot about that! The stage manager initially started as a macOS feature. However, it was limited to iPads with Apple silicon when iOS 18 was released.

 

[Tsepz]

I came across y’all’s explanation for why most iPhone 15 Pro users are hesitant to upgrade to the iPhone 16. I heard from ’s reveal mentioned that the camera control can be replaced with the action button.

However, I recently found something interesting on the Apple website about the iPhone 16e. It states that visual intelligence is now an action for the action button. This means that all iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 16 series users, alongside the iPhone 16e users, will gain this action for their existing Apple intelligence-supported iPhones. I believe this will be implemented in iOS 18.4.

Please let me know if this is indeed true. I appreciate your attention to this matter. Thank you, and take care.
View attachment 2484014

It seems this has been confirmed, we should be getting Visual Intelligence on 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max

See here:

Apple confirms Visual Intelligence is coming to iPhone 15 Pro​

An Apple spokesperson told Daring Fireball’s John Gruber (via MacMagazine) that a future iOS update will enable Visual Intelligence on iPhone 15 Pro models through the Action Button, just like on the recently announced iPhone 16e. There are no details on when exactly this will happen, but presumably the feature will be added with iOS 18.4.

Visual Intelligence coming to iPhone 15 Pro with a future update

Apple Intelligence is available for iPhone 15 Pro and later, but there’s an exclusive feature for iPhone 16 models, which...

9to5mac.com

Makes me glad I skipped the 16 range and stuck to my 15 Pro Max, it’s basically a 16 Pro Max at this point without Camera Control.

 

[digitalcuriosity]

Seems i keep reading about people having problems with their 16s so i am sticking with my 15Pro untill i see the 16 problems are being addressed and fixed.

 

[SilverSpooned]

I am considering switching from the Iphone 13 to the 16e.

 

[goldmac2006]

It seems this has been confirmed, we should be getting Visual Intelligence on 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max

See here:

Apple confirms Visual Intelligence is coming to iPhone 15 Pro​

Visual Intelligence coming to iPhone 15 Pro with a future update

Apple Intelligence is available for iPhone 15 Pro and later, but there’s an exclusive feature for iPhone 16 models, which...

9to5mac.com

Makes me glad I skipped the 16 range and stuck to my 15 Pro Max, it’s basically a 16 Pro Max at this point without Camera Control.

AMAZING!!!! I am glad we got a source confirming it from Daring Fireball, that is a reliable source for related news. Once it is in beta I will test if it is there. Thank you 15 Pro allies for helping out!

Seems i keep reading about people having problems with their 16s so i am sticking with my 15Pro untill i see the 16 problems are being addressed and fixed.

Same here I am not upgrading my 15 Pro for several years. But the light is at the end of the tunnel that we are finally getting the ONE missing AI feature in the next update, no need to throw extra money in the trash for one little hardware add-on.

I am considering switching from the Iphone 13 to the 16e.

Will you not mind missing MagSafe and the second camera when you upgrade?

 

[SilverSpooned]

Will you not mind missing MagSafe and the second camera when you upgrade?

This may sound crazy but I have never ever used MagSafe and forgot it existed.

The second camera is the point of contention for me. I have yet to know if the 16e's camera is better than the 13.

 

[goldmac2006]

This may sound crazy but I have never ever used MagSafe and forgot it existed.

The second camera is the point of contention for me. I have yet to know if the 16e's camera is better than the 13.

Really? Do you wireless charge your iPhone though?

 

[russell_314]

This may sound crazy but I have never ever used MagSafe and forgot it existed.

The second camera is the point of contention for me. I have yet to know if the 16e's camera is better than the 13.

I really tried MagSafe, but I couldn’t find a place for it. I tried the nightstand thing where you can stick your phone to a stand, and it makes a clock. This seems pretty cool except I’d like to mess with my phone before I go to sleep so it wasn’t really useful. Yes I know that’s a terrible habit to do but it’s what I do.

I tried MagSafe car mounts and they worked if I didn’t use a case, but I found out with a case my phone would fall off if I hit a bump too hard. I’m sure part of that was to do with my car riding like a tank. The car I drive now has a Qi phone charging pad. Since GPS is built into the car screen, I don’t need my phone for that and the pad seems to work.

I bought the little charging puck and it’s cool but doesn’t seem any better than just plugging in a Lightning cable. It’s also slower than the cable.

I’m sure many people have made it work for them and maybe I’m missing a use case where it would be helpful for me.

 

[SilverSpooned]

I really tried MagSafe, but I couldn’t find a place for it. I tried the nightstand thing where you can stick your phone to a stand, and it makes a clock. This seems pretty cool except I’d like to mess with my phone before I go to sleep so it wasn’t really useful. Yes I know that’s a terrible habit to do but it’s what I do.

I tried MagSafe car mounts and they worked if I didn’t use a case, but I found out with a case my phone would fall off if I hit a bump too hard. I’m sure part of that was to do with my car riding like a tank. The car I drive now has a Qi phone charging pad. Since GPS is built into the car screen, I don’t need my phone for that and the pad seems to work.

I bought the little charging puck and it’s cool but doesn’t seem any better than just plugging in a Lightning cable. It’s also slower than the cable.

I’m sure many people have made it work for them and maybe I’m missing a use case where it would be helpful for me.

Do you think it would be worth upgrading from the 13 to the 16e?

 

[russell_314]

Do you think it would be worth upgrading from the 13 to the 16e?

I’d say it depends on a few things

What is the condition of your iPhone 13 battery? Does it last you all day?

Is there something you want to do that your current iPhone is not capable of? For example, AI or an App that requires a newer iPhone?

Honestly unless your current phone is not working like you want it to then probably not. That’s the logical and sensible answer. Now would you be excited to have some new feature or a newer iPhone and is that worth it? Only you can answer that one. It’s like you can have a perfectly fine and working car but trade it in for a new one because it’s newer and has new features you’re excited about.


I’m thinking about going from my 14 Pro Max to this one mainly because it’s going to be much lighter and smaller. I’ve had the regular iPhone in my hands and to me it feels significantly lighter and better. The only thing that made me worry was battery life but this one seems to have almost the same battery life as my current iPhone.

 

[SilverSpooned]

I’d say it depends on a few things

What is the condition of your iPhone 13 battery? Does it last you all day?

Is there something you want to do that your current iPhone is not capable of? For example, AI or an App that requires a newer iPhone?

Honestly unless your current phone is not working like you want it to then probably not. That’s the logical and sensible answer. Now would you be excited to have some new feature or a newer iPhone and is that worth it? Only you can answer that one. It’s like you can have a perfectly fine and working car but trade it in for a new one because it’s newer and has new features you’re excited about.


I’m thinking about going from my 14 Pro Max to this one mainly because it’s going to be much lighter and smaller. I’ve had the regular iPhone in my hands and to me it feels significantly lighter and better. The only thing that made me worry was battery life but this one seems to have almost the same battery life as my current iPhone.

My iphone battery lasts most of the day though I notice lately I have had issues getting it to last a bit beyond that. It is currently at 93%. I never use AI on my phone as far as I know so that is pretty much a non-factor.

I didn't upgrade from the 13 to the 14 or 15 since I didn't consider it worth it. It seems the 16e will have the best battery life of an iphone so far. Only thing that concerns me is if the 16e has the ability to do night vision images like the iphone 13 does.

 

[maerz001]

I really tried MagSafe, but I couldn’t find a place for it. I tried the nightstand thing where you can stick your phone to a stand, and it makes a clock. This seems pretty cool except I’d like to mess with my phone before I go to sleep so it wasn’t really useful. Yes I know that’s a terrible habit to do but it’s what I do.

I tried MagSafe car mounts and they worked if I didn’t use a case, but I found out with a case my phone would fall off if I hit a bump too hard. I’m sure part of that was to do with my car riding like a tank. The car I drive now has a Qi phone charging pad. Since GPS is built into the car screen, I don’t need my phone for that and the pad seems to work.

I bought the little charging puck and it’s cool but doesn’t seem any better than just plugging in a Lightning cable. It’s also slower than the cable.

I’m sure many people have made it work for them and maybe I’m missing a use case where it would be helpful for me.

R u using a magsafe case? If not thats the reason you car mount is not strong enough

 

[Pclaesen]

Hoping for visual intelligence on iPhone 15 pro

 

[russell_314]

My iphone battery lasts most of the day though I notice lately I have had issues getting it to last a bit beyond that. It is currently at 93%. I never use AI on my phone as far as I know so that is pretty much a non-factor.

Many of the AI features aren’t compatible on iPhone 14 or earlier so you wouldn’t have them. I haven’t used the newer iPhone, but I suspect it’s nothing that great.

I didn't upgrade from the 13 to the 14 or 15 since I didn't consider it worth it. It seems the 16e will have the best battery life of an iphone so far. Only thing that concerns me is if the 16e has the ability to do night vision images like the iphone 13 does.

I’m not sure about night vision but I suspect it would have it. Wait for the YouTube reviews and someone will test it.

My advice would just be wait. It’s not like it’s only available for a few weeks. If you decide two months from now to get one I bet you could walk into any Apple Store and find it on the shelf.

R u using a magsafe case? If not thats the reason you car mount is not strong enough

Yeah, I think even with the MagSafe case it didn’t feel as strong as the bare phone. It would occasionally fall off even not in a case. If I remember, I think the improved the MagSafe on the iPhone 15, but I’m not sure. I have the 14 Pro Max so the heaviest iPhone. Even in my bumpy car, I don’t think I would have the same problems with the regular size iPhone.

 

[goldmac2006]

Hoping for visual intelligence on iPhone 15 pro

Here you go.

It’s official.

 

[BigBlur]

Do you think it would be worth upgrading from the 13 to the 16e?

I upgraded from the 13 (after 3 years) to the 16 and can hardly tell a difference, so I would say no to the 16e if your 13 is still running fine.

• You would lose the ultra-wide camera; no more zooming out.
• You would lose the sensor-shift optical image stabilization that the 13 has, which is better than the basic image stabilization that the 16e has.
• You would lose MagSafe.

About the only thing you would gain is more megapixels, which isn't really that big of a deal, IMO (the 13 takes great pictures already); crash detection, satellite SOS/messaging, and Apple Intelligence. If you're really wanting these features and don't care about losing the above, then go for it!

It really depends on what you're looking for in a phone. For some people, it would be an upgrade; for other people, it would be a downgrade.

You can compare them here:

https://www.apple.com/iphone/compare/?modelList=iphone-13,iphone-16e,iphone-16