Apple will not be delaying the release of its highly anticipated iPhone 16 models, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. While Apple Intelligence, a key feature of the new iPhones, is set to launch in October, the tech giant has decided not to hold back the hardware until the services are ready.

Last week, Apple Intelligence was pushed to iOS 18.1, causing it to miss the initial release of iOS 18 in September. This move left only the highest-end iPhone 15 Pro models supporting these features. However, Apple has learned from past experiences where software features delayed iPhone releases. For instance, the iPhone 4S was postponed until October due to unfinished Siri and iCloud features.

Despite this, Apple is taking a different approach this time. It plans to launch the new iPhone 16 models around the same time as last year, with September 10 emerging as a probable date. Users will still need to upgrade their devices to iOS 18.1 in October to access the full range of Apple Intelligence features.

Apple Intelligence entered its beta phase last week, introducing some initial functionalities such as Writing Tools and Memory Generation in Photos. The new Siri interface was also shipped, although most of the Siri upgrades and ChatGPT integration are not yet available. Notable features like Genmoji and Image Playground are also missing from the current beta version.

While Apple Intelligence is expected to be a significant upgrade for consumers, Gurman agrees that it is not worth delaying the release of the iPhones. The all-new Siri, which many users will be interested in, will only be available in a later iOS 18 update next spring.

In conclusion, Apple is set to unveil its iPhone 16 models on a similar schedule as last year, with a potential launch date of September 10. Users can expect to update their devices to iOS 18.1 in October to start experiencing the exciting features of Apple Intelligence.