Apple to Roll Out Visual Intelligence Feature for iPhone 15 Pro

Apple has announced plans to extend its Visual Intelligence feature to older iPhone models, specifically those that support Apple Intelligence. This development was confirmed by the company to a US-based Apple blogger.

Users of the iPhone 15 Pro will soon be able to access Visual Intelligence via the action button, as Apple prepares to release this feature in an upcoming software update. Speculations suggest that this might coincide with the launch of iOS 18.4, although the beta version has yet to be released. Notably, this update will also introduce support for several European languages, including German.

Visual Intelligence allows users to gain insights about their surroundings, such as identifying locations and objects. Currently, this functionality is accessible only on the four models of the iPhone 16 series, where it is activated by pressing the camera control button. However, the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max lack this button. The iPhone 16e has integrated Visual Intelligence with the action button, prompting Apple to enable similar access for the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max with the new software update.

Among its features, Visual Intelligence can provide information about restaurants and businesses, translate text, summarize content, read aloud, and identify plants and animals. Apple employs its own artificial intelligence technology in conjunction with Google's capabilities to deliver these functionalities. Previously, this feature was limited to devices with Apple Intelligence enabled, which depended on the device's language settings (predominantly English) and the Apple ID used for App Store purchases. As mentioned, support for German will be available starting in April.

In the United States, Visual Intelligence also enables users to make restaurant reservations and order food delivery. Recently, additional functionalities were added, including the ability to create calendar events by capturing images of concert posters. The rationale behind linking Visual Intelligence specifically to the camera control button, rather than allowing access through the control center, remains unclear.

Initially, it was speculated that the feature was a marketing strategy aimed at promoting the iPhone 16 series. However, with the introduction of the iPhone 16e, which does not have a camera control button, Apple has felt compelled to implement this feature for the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. The exact release date for iOS 18.4 is still uncertain, but it is expected to be available by or before April.