Photo editing and audio mixing tools are some of my favorite AI features on phones.

I also make use of visual search, and the more informative weather forecasts AI provides.

There's a lot of potential when it comes to smart home control, particularly with Alexa+ and Gemini.

As I've said elsewhere, you really shouldn't buy a phone for AI. In their current state, many generative AI features aren't that helpful, and some are prone to "hallucinating" -- the industry euphemism for getting things wrong. They might become indispensable someday, but for now, you're better off demanding things like better cameras and battery life.

I actually do take advantage of some AI features on my iPhone 16 Pro, and on the Android phones I test when I get the opportunity. In many cases, though, they're not the big marquee ones. I can do a better job at writing an email than Apple Intelligence, and I'm not about to trust Gemini to plan a California vacation.

Having done some pro photography work, I'm usually in the mindset that if a photo really counts, it's best to put the work in before you click the shutter. That means posing people and objects, finding the best angle, and even adjusting lighting if I have some control over it. Simply flicking a switch or opening a curtain can do wonders.