Apple iPhone 16 reaches stores without its highly awaited AI features

A shop assistant serves a customer inside the Apple Inc store in Beijing, China, on Sept 20, 2024. Apple launched the iPhone 16 lineup in almost 60 countries on Friday. But the device won’t come installed with Apple Intelligence — the much-anticipated AI software that the company has been touting since June. — Bloomberg

Apple Inc is facing an unprecedented challenge: persuading customers to buy its latest iPhones without their biggest new feature.

On Sept 20, Apple is launching the iPhone 16 lineup in almost 60 countries, including the US, China, India, Australia and South Korea. But the device won’t come installed with Apple Intelligence – the much-anticipated AI software that the company has been touting since June. That means users will have to download the software features over time as they become available during the coming weeks and months.