No, the iPhone 15 Plus does not get Apple Intelligence features under Apple’s current hardware and software requirements.
Apple Intelligence On iPhone 15 Plus At A Glance
Apple Intelligence is Apple’s suite of on-device AI tools that power smarter Siri, writing tools, image creation, and visual search across iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Right now, Apple limits these features on iPhone to a short list of newer devices.
The iPhone 15 Plus sits in a strange spot. It is a modern phone, runs recent iOS versions, and feels current in day-to-day use. Even so, it does not appear in Apple’s official list of Apple Intelligence-ready iPhones. Only the iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, iPhone 16 family, and newer models are on that list.
That means an iPhone 15 Plus owner can install iOS 18 and later, get security patches, and enjoy plenty of smart features, but Apple Intelligence itself stays off this device.
- No Apple Intelligence Today — iPhone 15 Plus does not run Apple Intelligence, even on the newest iOS release.
- Full iOS Upgrade Path — The phone still receives major iOS versions, so you keep up with new standard features.
- Modern Hardware — A16 Bionic and 6 GB of RAM keep everyday tasks smooth even without Apple Intelligence.
Will The iPhone 15 Plus Get Apple Intelligence Features?
Short answer: treat the iPhone 15 Plus as a “no” for Apple Intelligence, both now and for updates that arrive later down the line. There is no hint from Apple that this model will join the list.
What Apple Has Officially Said So Far
Apple’s own help page on how to get Apple Intelligence spells this out clearly. For iPhone, the feature requires iPhone 15 Pro models or any iPhone 16 model and newer, plus a recent iOS version and enough free storage on the device. The iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus do not appear in that compatibility list at all.
Apple’s main Apple Intelligence marketing page repeats the same story in its device list. Among 2023 phones, only iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max are listed. The 15 and 15 Plus are grouped with earlier A-series phones that run iOS 18 but do not get Apple Intelligence.
When Apple changes a requirement that big, it usually updates these pages right away. Since those pages still exclude iPhone 15 Plus, owners should assume that Apple Intelligence is not planned for this device.
Hardware Limits Behind The Cutoff
The cutoff is not random. Apple has given a simple explanation: Apple Intelligence on iPhone needs the A17 Pro chip and at least 8 GB of memory. That combination only exists on the iPhone 15 Pro line in the 2023 range and on later Pro-level or A18-based phones in the 16 and 17 families.
- iPhone 15 Plus Chip — Runs on A16 Bionic with 6 GB of memory, carried over from iPhone 14 Pro.
- Apple Intelligence Requirement — On iPhone, Apple targets A17 Pro or newer and 8 GB of memory.
- Reason For The Gap — Apple Intelligence models are large and need faster neural hardware and more memory than A16-based phones offer.
Apple Intelligence leans heavily on on-device processing to keep data on your phone. That design puts extra pressure on the chip and memory. Rather than offer a slow, battery-draining version on older phones, Apple chose a hard line based on silicon and memory, and iPhone 15 Plus falls just below that line.
Apple Intelligence Compatibility By iPhone Model
To make the situation easier to scan, here is a simplified view of how Apple Intelligence lines up with recent iPhones. This table focuses on the iPhone 15 and 16 generations, which matter most if you are deciding whether to move on from an iPhone 15 Plus.
| iPhone Model | Main Chip | Apple Intelligence |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone 15 | A16 Bionic | No |
| iPhone 15 Plus | A16 Bionic | No |
| iPhone 15 Pro | A17 Pro | Yes |
| iPhone 15 Pro Max | A17 Pro | Yes |
| iPhone 16 | A18 | Yes |
| iPhone 16 Plus | A18 | Yes |
| iPhone 16 Pro | A18 Pro | Yes |
| iPhone 16 Pro Max | A18 Pro | Yes |
This mirrors Apple’s own lists: A16 phones like the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus run modern iOS versions but stop short of Apple Intelligence, while A17 Pro and A18 devices get the full feature set.
What iPhone 15 Plus Still Gets With iOS Updates
No Apple Intelligence does not mean your iPhone 15 Plus is a dead end. It still has plenty of life for everyday use and remains a solid choice for people who care more about battery life, a big screen, and camera quality than about generative AI on the phone itself.
Smart Features You Already Have
Many “smart” tools on iPhone do not sit under the Apple Intelligence label at all. They rely on earlier neural hardware that A16 Bionic already delivers. With recent iOS builds installed, an iPhone 15 Plus still offers polished tools across photos, messaging, privacy, and voice.
- Photo Search — Search your photo library by people, places, and objects without Apple Intelligence.
- On-Device Dictation — Use voice typing in the keyboard for fast replies and notes.
- Live Text — Point the camera at text to copy, translate, or call numbers straight from the viewfinder.
- Focus Modes — Filter notifications by work, sleep, or personal time to cut noise.
- Camera Upgrades — Use the 48 MP main sensor for detailed photos and 2x crop shots that feel close to an extra lens.
These tools do not match the full writing tools or image creators in Apple Intelligence, yet they cover many day-to-day jobs that people lean on phones for: messaging, calls, maps, photos, and social apps.
Features That Stay Exclusive To Newer Hardware
Some headline features stay locked behind Apple Intelligence, and that is where iPhone 15 Plus misses out. Understanding this split helps you decide whether an upgrade mainly for Apple Intelligence makes sense.
- Genmoji And Image Playground — Custom emoji-style characters and AI image creation live inside Apple Intelligence.
- Writing Tools — System-wide rewrite, summarize, and tone-shift tools in apps like Mail and Notes rely on the newer models.
- Visual Intelligence — Deep, AI-powered object recognition and on-screen context work only on Apple Intelligence-ready iPhones.
- Smarter Siri — The new Siri that can keep context over longer conversations and tap into Apple Intelligence models does not run on iPhone 15 Plus.
If these are the tools that caught your eye in Apple’s launch demos, you will not see them appear on iPhone 15 Plus, even as you keep installing later iOS releases.
Ways To Try Apple Intelligence If You Own An iPhone 15 Plus
Owning an iPhone 15 Plus does not cut you off from Apple Intelligence entirely. You have a few paths to try the features, though each path involves other hardware.
Upgrade To An iPhone With A17 Pro Or Later
The most direct way to get Apple Intelligence in your pocket is to move to a compatible iPhone. Apple’s own documentation lists iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, and the 16 Pro line as Apple Intelligence-ready when they run the required iOS versions. If you want Apple Intelligence on a phone, this is the route that matters most.
- Pick A Pro Model — iPhone 15 Pro or 15 Pro Max give you Apple Intelligence with a smaller jump in design from your 15 Plus.
- Move To iPhone 16 — iPhone 16 or 16 Plus bring Apple Intelligence with newer chips and longer software life remaining.
- Watch Storage Needs — Apple Intelligence downloads on-device models, so leaving space free makes setup smoother.
For the cleanest reference on requirements, Apple’s own
Apple Intelligence device requirements page
lists the exact models, system versions, and storage needs in one place.
Use A Mac Or iPad With Apple Silicon
Apple Intelligence is not just for phones. Apple also enables it on Macs and iPads with M-series chips and on the latest iPad mini with A17 Pro. If you already own one of these or plan to buy a new computer or tablet, you can try Apple Intelligence there while keeping your iPhone 15 Plus.
- Check Your Mac — Any Mac with an M1 chip or newer can run Apple Intelligence once updated to the right macOS release.
- Check Your iPad — iPad Pro and iPad Air with M-series chips, plus iPad mini with A17 Pro, can run Apple Intelligence with recent iPadOS builds.
- Match Languages — Apple requires the device language and Siri language to match one of the listed languages for Apple Intelligence to appear.
Apple’s
Apple Intelligence overview page
gives a clear summary of what the feature set looks like across iPhone, iPad, and Mac.
Regional Limits Do Not Change The iPhone 15 Plus Answer
Rollout has been staggered by country, with some regions getting Apple Intelligence months after others. That can make the topic feel confusing if you follow tech news from several countries at once.
For iPhone 15 Plus owners this regional timing does not change the outcome. Even in regions where Apple Intelligence is fully rolled out and enabled by default on compatible phones, iPhone 15 Plus still stays outside the supported pool because of its hardware.
Should You Upgrade From iPhone 15 Plus For Apple Intelligence?
Deciding whether to move on from iPhone 15 Plus just to get Apple Intelligence comes down to how you use your phone, how long you usually keep a device, and how much those AI features matter to you compared with cost.
Questions To Ask Before You Switch
- How Long Do You Keep Phones? — If you keep phones for many years, jumping sooner to an A17 Pro or A18 device may make sense if you care about AI tools.
- Do You Already Own An M-Series Device? — If you have an M-series Mac or iPad, you can try Apple Intelligence there and delay an iPhone upgrade.
- Which Features Matter Most? — If camera, battery, and messaging are your main needs, iPhone 15 Plus still handles those well without Apple Intelligence.
- Are You Price Sensitive? — Moving to a Pro model can be costly; a future upgrade window might line up better with sales or carrier deals.
Keep in mind that iPhone 15 Plus still receives major iOS releases, security fixes, and app updates. It stays a modern phone for quite a while, even if it never learns the Apple Intelligence feature set.
Bottom Line On iPhone 15 Plus And Apple Intelligence
Apple has drawn a clear hardware line for Apple Intelligence on iPhone. A17 Pro and newer chips with 8 GB of memory are in, while A16-based models like iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus remain out.
If you own an iPhone 15 Plus today, you can expect solid performance, long iOS support, and plenty of handy smart features, but not Apple Intelligence itself. To get those AI tools on a phone, you need to move to an iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, iPhone 16 line, or a later model, or rely on an M-series Mac or iPad alongside your current phone.
So when you see “Will the iPhone 15 Plus get Apple Intelligence?” in comments or forums, you can read it as answered: it is a strong no under Apple’s current rules, and you should plan any upgrade decisions around that reality.