Apple’s Artificial Intelligence feature, known as Apple Intelligence, has recently garnered attention as it quietly expands its footprint in terms of storage, much to the dismay of users. Originally launched in September 2024, Apple Intelligence started off requiring 4GB of available space on devices. However, just four months later, this requirement has almost doubled to a staggering 7GB, as reported by 9to5Mac. This surge in storage needs coincided with the release of iOS 18.2 and macOS Sequoia 15.2 in early December, which introduced new capabilities that further enhance the AI’s functionality.
Among the new features that complicate the situation are Image Playground, which generates images based on user input, and Genmoji, allowing individuals to craft personalized emojis. The growth in storage demand is primarily linked to the fact that Apple Intelligence operates on-device processing. This design necessitates storing extensive models directly on devices, limiting their accessibility to newer products fitted with the company’s advanced chipsets, such as the M1 or A17 and higher. Although many other chipsets could theoretically manage these processes, Apple prioritizes optimized performance and user experience by restricting access to its latest technology.
While on-device processing does offer enhanced privacy by limiting data sent to external servers, it also means that as Apple launches new features, the storage on users’ devices shrinks significantly. With plans for an AI overhaul of Siri on the horizon, alongside ongoing enhancements to its operating systems that will likely include more AI-driven functionalities, the expectation is that storage demand will continue its upward trend.
The situation is exacerbated by user sentiment regarding these features. A survey by SellCell indicated that a remarkable 73% of iPhone users who experimented with Apple Intelligence found that it contributed “little to no value” to their overall smartphone experience. Although Apple may be betting on the introduction of more appealing features in the future, the current feedback evokes a sense of skepticism about whether the trade-offs will be worthwhile for users.
Moreover, complaints relating to battery drain associated with these Apple Intelligence operations have emerged, creating further frustration among users. Currently, many are underwhelmed by the core offerings of Apple Intelligence, which seem to primarily revolve around providing inaccurate summaries of various news articles. The irony lies in the fact that while users are warned about the growing chunk of storage these features are consuming, they lack a compelling incentive to engage meaningfully with the technology. Given this environment, the proposition of Apple Intelligence may not be as appealing as Apple anticipated, as it incurs costs in both digital storage and user battery life.