Apple is still far behind when it comes to offering full-fledged artificial intelligence tools like Google’s Magic Eraser and Samsung’s Live Translate, but the iPhone isn’t completely devoid of machine learning (ML) magic.
The best thing about AI is that it silently saves time. It’s a tool that works in the background and helps you use your phone less, not more. For example, I recently realized how dependent I am on Apple’s ever-improving Siri offering tools.
Siri Suggestions is the best example of how the iPhone analyzes your usage habits and location to anticipate your current needs. Let’s say a user wants to send a photo of their dog to a family group chat and puts that group chat at the top of the sharing queue. You might also like Siri Suggestions, which automatically adds event information from your email (flights, reservations, etc.) to your calendar.
But for me, the most useful suggestions to find are Siri suggestions. Specifically, it is responsible for the app drawer that appears when you swipe down on your iPhone’s lock screen or home screen. And I’m confident that Siri’s ability to provide me with the apps I really need has improved significantly over the last 12 months. Because Siri seems to give good recommendations 90% of the time.
For example, when I go to the station after work, Siri suggestions are always waiting for me, with my train timetable app at the ready and the search app at the top of the queue. Or, if you’re having trouble remembering when you need to take a Duolingo lesson every day at 11 p.m., Siri suggestions often move certain apps to the top of the queue.
It may seem silly and insignificant, but these tips will help you save a few seconds every day. With Routines installed on your iPhone, you’ll rarely have to scroll through four pages of apps to find what you’re looking for. Sure, it’s not as impressive as an AI-powered phone that can teach you how to make lemon soufflé or make restaurant reservations using only information gleaned from your voice (you’ll need the best Pixel phone for that), but Apple deserves credit for making it possible. Part A range of artificial intelligence features on the iPhone.
In fact, around this time last year, I wrote that smartphone makers were feeling the pinch of AI engines. “I’ve never felt the need to use Google’s Best Tech feature to put my face on a group photo I’m not a part of, use Genmoji on my iPhone to send weightlifting squirrel emojis to members of my household, or use Samsung’s Generated Wallpapers tool to create endless new wallpapers,” he complained. “Apple, Google and Samsung are more interested in marketing their unnecessary AI features rather than demonstrating how their latest products make my daily life easier.”
For the most part, I still feel the same way. But small improvements in lesser-known features like Siri Suggestions have renewed my faith in the potential of AI on smartphones. Siri 2.0 is expected to take advantage of these advancements, at least on top-of-the-line iPhones in 2026.
