IPhone on Know the Tech

Only These iPhone Models Are Getting the New Siri AI This Fall

Mon, 06 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Apple has finally unveiled a truly intelligent version of Siri at WWDC 2026 — and after years of delays and underwhelming Apple Intelligence features, the new assistant appears to deliver on the promises the company made years ago. But not every iPhone will get the upgrade. Here’s everything you need to know about which devices are compatible and what Siri AI can actually do.

Which iPhones Support Siri AI?

The new Siri AI is exclusive to devices that support Apple Intelligence. That means you’ll need at least an iPhone 15 Pro or iPhone 15 Pro Max to run the assistant on your phone. Apple silicon-powered iPads and Macs are also supported, along with the 2024 iPad mini, which shares the same system-on-chip as the iPhone 15 Pro.

If you’re unsure whether your device qualifies, Apple suggests a quick check: open the Settings app, scroll down, and look for an “Apple Intelligence & Siri” section. If it’s there, your phone will get the AI-powered Siri upgrade when iOS 27 rolls out this fall.

Interestingly, Apple plans to release Siri AI initially as a beta — users will likely need to manually opt in, similar to the waitlist system used for the iOS 27 developer beta. However, iOS 27 itself has broad compatibility extending all the way back to the iPhone 11, so most users won’t miss out on the OS update itself even if their hardware can’t run the new Siri.

A Smarter, More Context-Aware Assistant

Siri AI represents a meaningful leap forward. The assistant is now equipped to handle personal requests with genuine contextual awareness — it can reference information from your notes, messages, emails, and photos to provide relevant answers. It’s powered by newer Apple Foundation Models that run on-device, improving both response times and privacy. For more complex prompts, the system offloads work to larger models in the cloud through Apple’s Private Cloud Compute infrastructure, which the company claims keeps your data inaccessible to anyone but you.

Premium Features for Pro Models

If you own an iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max, or the new iPhone Air, you’ll get access to an even more powerful on-device AI model. This enables expressive voices for Siri, improved speech recognition, and more accurate dictation. The upcoming iPhone 18 Pro and rumoured iPhone Fold will also feature these enhanced on-device capabilities.

However, it remains unclear whether the base model iPhone 18 will benefit from the same treatment. Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has reported that Apple is looking to increase memory in non-Pro iPhones to 9GB, but the company has stated that its most powerful on-device AI models require at least 12GB of RAM.

A Genuinely Useful Upgrade

Let’s be honest — much of the Apple Intelligence suite so far has felt like a collection of sloppy AI features that don’t meaningfully improve the iPhone experience. Siri AI appears to break that pattern. Even in its beta form, early hands-on reports indicate the virtual assistant is fast, accurate, and genuinely useful for answering complex queries and carrying out chained commands. After years of being the virtual assistant that refused to grow up, Siri may finally be ready to compete.

These Popular Smartphones Are in Their Last Year of Software Support

Mon, 06 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Shopping for a smartphone on sale can feel like a win, but that bargain phone might come with an expiration date. Many popular models from Samsung, Google, Motorola, and Apple are entering their final year of software support — meaning they’ll soon stop receiving critical security patches and OS updates.

Why Software Updates Matter

Your smartphone likely handles banking, health data, work emails, and personal conversations. When those system update notifications stop appearing, it signals a real problem. Once a manufacturer ends support, newly discovered security vulnerabilities go unpatched, potentially exposing your sensitive data to cybercriminals.

According to a report from Engadget, end-of-life phones don’t stop working — but they stop receiving security patches. Unsupported devices also miss new OS features, and apps eventually drop support for older OS versions, leaving you unable to use key tools.

Samsung Models Nearing End of Life

Samsung’s support varies by tier: flagship Galaxy models get up to seven years of updates, mid-range phones get five to six, and budget devices get four. Key models approaching end-of-life include the Galaxy S23 series (Android updates end Feb 2027), Galaxy Z Fold4/Flip4 (security updates end Aug 2027), Galaxy S22 series (updates ended Feb 2026), Galaxy A54 5G (security updates end May 2027), and Galaxy A14 (security updates end May 2027).

Google Pixel Models Nearing End of Life

Google’s Pixel 8 and later get seven years of updates, but older models received just five years. Nearing end-of-life are the Pixel 7 and 7 Pro (EOL Oct 2027), Pixel 6a (EOL Jul 2027), and Pixel 6 and 6 Pro (EOL Oct 2026). The Pixel 2 through 5 lineups are already unsupported.

Motorola Models Nearing End of Life

Motorola offers more limited support — typically 2-3 years of security updates. The European Union has pushed for longer commitments, but Motorola often doesn’t promise Android OS updates alongside security patches. Models nearing end-of-life include the Moto G (Dec 2027), Moto G Stylus 5G (May 2027), Motorola Edge 2024 (May 2027), and Motorola Razr and Razr+ (Sep/Jun 2027).

Apple iPhones Approaching End of Life

Apple uses “vintage” and “obsolete” classifications instead of publishing end-of-life dates. iPhones typically receive iOS updates for 5-7 years. iOS 27, arriving this fall, will reportedly run on phones as old as the iPhone 11 (2019). The iPhone SE (2020), iPhone 11 series will likely get their final update with iOS 27. Notably, Apple Intelligence features are only supported on the iPhone 15 Pro and later, which may accelerate drop-offs for older models. However, Apple continues sending security patches: in May 2026, it updated iOS 15 through iOS 18, covering models as old as the iPhone 6s.

What to Do If Your Phone Is Nearing End of Support

If you own one of these phones, keep apps updated for as long as possible, avoid unsecured public Wi-Fi, only install apps from official stores, be cautious with links, and upgrade to a newer model when your budget allows. An unsupported phone is a security liability. Knowing where your device stands is one of the best steps you can take to protect your data.

What's the Fastest Charging Speed Your iPad or iPhone Port Can Handle?

Mon, 06 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Getting the most out of your iPhone or iPad’s battery is about more than keeping an eye on how much power your apps consume. Your charging speed can also have a significant effect on your battery’s longevity — and on how quickly you can get back out the door.

According to a recent report from Engadget, many Apple users are unknowingly leaving charging performance on the table by pairing modern devices with outdated bricks. Here’s what you need to know.

iPhone and iPad Charging Speeds: The Numbers

Apple’s latest iPhone 17 lineup supports charging speeds of up to 40W for the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max. The ultra-thin iPhone Air, however, tops out at just 20W — a tradeoff necessary to achieve its slim profile.

On the iPad side, the base model iPad released in 2025 charges at a respectable 45W, on par with competing tablets from Samsung. The flagship M5 iPad Pro pushes even further, charging at up to 60W.

But here’s the catch: Apple stopped including charging bricks with iPhones years ago, and the 20W charger that still ships with iPads is far too weak to hit those maximum speeds. Anyone still using an old 5W brick from the iPhone 11 era is getting an incredibly slow charging experience with their modern device.

How Charging Speeds Are Measured

Battery capacity is measured in milliamp-hours (mAh), which represents how much power a battery can deliver over an hour. The iPhone 17 Pro Max has a 5,088mAh battery, while the base iPhone 17 uses a 3,692mAh cell. The 13-inch M5 iPad Pro packs a massive 10,290mAh battery.

Charging speed is measured in watts. Thanks to improved technologies like USB Power Delivery (USB-PD), even compact smartphones can charge at increasingly high rates. For comparison, some Android competitors like the OnePlus 15 already charge at a blistering 120W.

Choose the Right Charger

Since Apple no longer includes a fast charger in the box, customers who want to take advantage of top speeds must purchase one separately. The good news is that you don’t have to buy Apple’s own adapters. Third-party brands such as Anker, Ugreen, and Satechi offer excellent alternatives that can deliver the full 40W–60W these devices support.

When shopping for a charger, make sure its rated output meets or exceeds your device’s maximum charging speed. A 20W charger will still work with an iPhone 17 Pro Max, but you’ll only charge at half the achievable speed — meaning more time tethered to the wall and less time using your device.

Source: Engadget