Apple‘s annual developer conference is just around the corner, and this year, artificial intelligence (AI) is taking center stage. The tech giant is set to unveil a suite of AI-powered features for the upcoming iPhone 16 lineup, but here’s the catch: you might need to upgrade to the most expensive model to experience the full potential of these advancements.

According to Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman, only the iPhone 15 Pro, released last year, will be able to handle the entire range of AI tools. This exclusivity likely stems from the A17 Pro chip residing within the Pro models. Unlike its pricier sibling, the standard iPhone 15 settled for the previous year’s A16 chipset, a cost-cutting move by Apple.

The key lies in the A17 Pro’s powerhouse Neural Engine, which, alongside its faster processing and graphics capabilities, is crucial for running complex AI routines directly on the phone. This includes large language models (LLMs) that can understand and respond to natural language, and generative AI that can create entirely new content.

Looking ahead, the iPhone 16 Pro models are expected to boast the next-generation A18 Pro chip. Here’s where things get interesting – similar to chipmakers like Qualcomm and Samsung, Apple might integrate specialized hardware within the A18 specifically designed to accelerate demanding AI tasks. While the A17 Pro in the iPhone 15 Pro might hold its own against the A18 for now, the standard iPhone 16 models could be left behind.

There’s a potential workaround: cloud-based AI processing. This is a strategy adopted by several Android manufacturers to offer extensive AI features on less powerful devices. However, if Apple goes down this route, expect them to heavily emphasize user privacy concerns and how they plan to mitigate risks associated with cloud-based AI processes.

The term “AI” encompasses a vast spectrum, but in the smartphone realm, it often translates to the need for cutting-edge hardware to deliver optimal performance. Apple will undoubtedly have its own take on AI, focusing on user assistance through summaries, enhanced photos, Siri’s natural language comprehension, and improved image processing. However, beneath the surface, Apple’s motivations might mirror the industry at large – if you crave the latest AI-powered smartphone experience, you’ll likely need to shell out for a brand-new iPhone.