Apple’s new iPhone models receive enhanced AI features as the holiday shopping period approaches.

SAN FRANCISCO — As the holiday shopping season approaches, Apple is integrating further artificial intelligence capabilities into its latest iPhones through a complimentary software update. This update allows users to rapidly generate personalized emojis, enhancing the user experience on their devices.

Released on Wednesday, the iOS 18.2 update marks a significant milestone in Apple’s foray into AI. This comes on the heels of competitors like Samsung and Google, who have already introduced advanced AI features in their products. The update is part of a broader initiative that began with a prior update in late October, highlighting Apple’s focus on AI enhancements across its ecosystem, which includes the iPhone, iPad, and Mac.

One of the standout features introduced is “Genmojis,” which empowers users to request custom emojis created by the AI. Apple has imposed restrictions on this feature to avoid the creation and dissemination of violent or hateful images. In addition to Genmojis, users can also access an “Image Playground,” which offers various AI-generated illustrations, writing aids, and tools for summarizing emails.

It should be noted that this AI functionality is exclusive to iPhones released in 2023 or later, as the required specialized processor is not found in earlier models. The features will be available on the newly launched iPhone 16 series and the premium iPhone 15 devices from the previous year.

This exclusivity is expected to trigger a surge in iPhone upgrades this holiday season, potentially boosting Apple’s profits beyond the $94 billion reported for the fiscal year that ended in September. This optimistic outlook is a key factor in the company’s stock price, which has increased by about 30% this year, pushing its market capitalization closer to the $4 trillion mark for the first time.

Furthermore, Apple is enhancing the appeal of its AI offerings by introducing English versions specifically designed for users in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, and the U.K. as part of the latest software release.

While Apple’s AI features share similarities with those found in offerings from other technology companies, the tech giant is adopting a distinct strategy to differentiate itself. A significant focus of this approach is on user privacy, with most AI processing performed directly on the device or within secured data centers. For users seeking even more advanced AI capabilities, Apple has partnered with OpenAI, granting access to the widely-used ChatGPT technology.