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As we reflect on the recent launch of the iPhone 16 Pro, there is no doubt that Apple has delivered yet another technically impressive device, packed with iterative improvements in hardware and software. But the conversation around this latest release extends far beyond improved battery life, camera enhancements, and design tweaks—it is also about the transformative power of AI and its potential to redefine how consumers interact with their mobile devices.

With its promise of Apple Intelligence, the latest generation of iPhones has set the stage for what could be a pivotal shift in mobile technology. While AI has long been used behind the scenes in smartphones, quietly optimizing processes such as battery life, predictive maintenance, and app performance, we are now standing at the threshold of a new era—one in which AI will move from the background to the forefront of the mobile device user experience.

AI’s role in mobile devices today: optimization without awareness

Until now, AI has played a vital but largely invisible role in enhancing smart device performance, with AI-driven algorithms helping to manage power consumption and ensuring that consumers’ devices can last longer between charges. Smartphone cameras have long been using AI to recognize scenes and adjust settings automatically, or facilitate predictive text, which helps users streamline typing, autocorrect errors and anticipate common combinations of words. These features have all resulted in a better user experience and enhanced the value of phones and tablets, but they have not fundamentally changed how users interact with their devices.

In fact, most consumers are unaware of the significant role AI already plays in these background tasks. A recent Pew Research Center survey found that about half of Americans are aware they are interacting with AI within their lives weekly, and only 27% understand that they are interacting with AI constantly or several times a day. That is precisely the challenge AI must overcome if it is to cross the transformative threshold. The true potential of AI lies not in passive optimizations, but in more active engagement with users, shaping the way they utilize their mobile devices in real time.

Imagine a mobile interface that intuitively understands your preferences, anticipates your needs, and adapts to your behavior in real time. This is the future we are moving toward—one where AI-driven interfaces offer a level of personalization and convenience that unlocks entirely new ways for us to communicate, create and experience.

Apple Intelligence, as integrated into the iPhone 16, promises to take this leap. While much of its functionality will roll out over the coming months, it is designed to enhance consumer experiences by predicting what users want to do next—whether it is suggesting apps based on recent activity or providing personalized content recommendations. Its potential is enormous, and though the iPhone 16 is grabbing a lot of recent headlines, exciting AI strides are being made across the industry.

Overcoming the barriers: technology, privacy, and trust

Of course, crossing this AI threshold does not come without challenges. To deliver transformative experiences, mobile devices must be equipped with powerful neural processing units (NPUs) and sophisticated software capable of supporting real-time AI interactions. And any disruptions in the global supply chain of the critical chipsets could have impede the progress of AI. The iPhone 16’s hardware, with its enhanced memory and upgraded processor, is laying the groundwork, but the real test will come when features like Apple Intelligence are fully operational.

Equally important is addressing the ethical and privacy concerns that come with AI-driven personalization. Consumers are increasingly wary of how their data is being used, and for AI to succeed, companies must prioritize transparency and security. Another study by Pew Research Center found that 71% of Americans are concerned about how companies use their data. Apple's commitment to on-device processing, where sensitive data stays on the device, is a step in the right direction.

In the long term, for AI to become a fundamental part of the mobile user experience, companies must build trust by demonstrating that it can enhance security, efficiency, and convenience without compromising user privacy.

The potential of AI-driven mobile experiences

The iPhone 16 and its AI capabilities are just the beginning. What will truly differentiate future smart devices is how well they integrate AI into the user's daily life.

We are already seeing glimpses of this future in features such as Google’s Circle-to-Search on Pixel devices and Samsung’s AI-powered photo editor tools, which allow users to remove unwanted objects from photos with ease. Tools that boost productivity, such as call transcripts and live translations, are invaluable for busy people and those working in a multi-lingual setting. AI can also offer breakthrough aids for individuals with disabilities. For instance, cameras can give visual prompts to help visually impaired people take photos effortlessly.

We have also seen speculation about whether AI features could trigger the next supercycle of handset upgrades. According to IDC, “the buzz created by Gen AI smartphones, (is) expected to grow faster than any mobile innovation we have seen to date and forecast to capture 19% of the market with 234 million shipments this year." Some analysts predict that the integration of Apple Intelligence will drive early adopters to upgrade en masse, while others argue that economic factors may temper consumer enthusiasm. According to a Canalys report, in 2024 16% of global smartphone shipments will be AI enabled, growing to 64% by 2028 resulting in a staggering 63% Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR).

It is important to note that while AI has the potential to transform mobile experiences, it may not be enough to convince the average consumer to spend $1,200 or more on a new device, especially if the benefits are not immediately tangible. The real question is whether AI can deliver enough value to justify the cost of upgrading, and that remains to be seen.

Conclusion: the future of AI in mobile devices

It will be up to consumers whether manufacturers are delivering on the promise of AI, but we are clearly on the cusp of something transformative. The challenge for smartphone makers is to deliver tangible, meaningful benefits to users while maintaining their trust and safeguarding their privacy. If they can deliver on these promises, the future of mobile technology looks brighter than ever.

We list the best AI tools.

This article was produced as part of TechRadarPro's Expert Insights channel where we feature the best and brightest minds in the technology industry today. The views expressed here are those of the author and are not necessarily those of TechRadarPro or Future plc. If you are interested in contributing find out more here: https://www.techradar.com/news/submit-your-story-to-techradar-pro

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