Apple may charge iPhone users Rs 2,000 a month for access to best features of Apple Intelligence

Apple is gearing up to deliver a more intelligent experience to iPhone users with the upcoming iOS 18.2 update, dropping on December 2, according to Bloomberg. The biggest highlight? A ChatGPT-powered Siri that promises to be a game-changer in the world of virtual assistants.

However, there’s a catch: unlocking Siri’s full potential might cost users a monthly fee. Priced at $20 or around Rs 1,950, a ChatGPT Plus subscription may be essential to access the most advanced features of Apple Intelligence. Without this subscription, Siri will function with limited capabilities, which somewhat dampens the excitement around the feature-packed update.

Reports from 9to5Mac indicate that iPhone users will be able to sign up for ChatGPT Plus directly through their settings. The path to subscription is simple: head to Settings, tap on Apple Intelligence & Siri, then navigate to ChatGPT and select Upgrade to ChatGPT Plus.

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Although this method adds convenience, there won’t be any exclusive discounts for subscribing through the iPhone’s settings app. In fact, users seeking the best deal may still want to sign up via a web browser.

Even without a subscription, ChatGPT-powered Siri will have some useful features. Tools like Writing Tools and Image Playground will be accessible for free, but expect significant limitations. Advanced functionalities, such as using the latest GPT models, generating images, analysing documents, and browsing the web, will be restricted.

Those who pay for ChatGPT Plus will get to experience a transformed, more capable Siri, making the subscription feel almost necessary for power users.

This Rs 2,000 monthly fee also applies to users who wish to enjoy these features on Apple Intelligence-enabled iPads and Macs. Fortunately, anyone with an existing ChatGPT Plus subscription can sign in and use it to access the enhanced Siri experience across all eligible Apple devices.

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While Apple Intelligence won’t officially arrive in India until April 2024, eager users can try out some features now by simply switching their device language from English (India) to English (US). It’s a small workaround for those who want a taste of what’s to come, but the full suite of features will only be available once the service launches officially.

In essence, Apple is pushing forward with a subscription-driven approach for its revamped Siri, making sure the best features are paywalled. Whether users will embrace this remains to be seen, but the promise of an AI-powered virtual assistant certainly adds a new layer of intrigue to the upcoming update.