Apple may soon offer paid tiers for heavier AI users. During an earnings call on Thursday, July 31, 2026, Apple CEO Tim Cook said the company plans to introduce upgrade options within iCloud Plus for customers who want greater access to Apple Intelligence features. “We will have some kind of upgrade possibilities on iCloud Plus where people can buy up the stack,” Cook said, adding that he expects users will want to use Apple Intelligence and the upcoming Siri AI “a lot.”
The comments come ahead of Apple’s planned fall 2026 launch of a significantly expanded Siri AI, set to arrive with iOS 27. The updated assistant will be able to answer questions about on-screen content, take actions across apps, and includes a new standalone Siri app with a ChatGPT-like interface.
Apple has already acknowledged usage constraints on its AI features. In June 2026, the company stated that capabilities including image generation have “daily usage limits because they rely on powerful server models,” and that iCloud Plus subscribers receive “increased access” to most of those features. Cook’s remarks suggest Apple is now considering additional tiers beyond what current iCloud Plus plans provide.
Apple’s services segment — which includes iCloud Plus, Apple TV+, and Apple One — generated $30.74 billion in revenue over the most recent reporting period, making it a significant part of the company’s business. Introducing higher-priced AI tiers could further expand that revenue stream, though Apple has not announced specific pricing or plan details.
Source: The Verge