Apple launched a long-delayed trial rollout of its artificial intelligence features, dubbed Apple Intelligence, in China on Wednesday (Nov 4). The trial is currently open to developers, as the firm races to keep pace with homegrown phone brands in a key market.
The systems were first rolled out in the United States and other regions in autumn 2024. However, launches in China faced heavy delays due to tough regulatory demands and the lack of access to Google and OpenAI models, which Apple tapped elsewhere.
Teaming Up with Alibaba
To tackle these hurdles, Apple confirmed it will partner with Alibaba's Qwen to run stronger AI tools alongside its own basic tools. The company received regulatory approval in July after talks with local tech names such as Alibaba, Baidu, ByteDance, and Tencent.
The first batch contains 18 AI features, including phone call live translation as well as tools to summarise and proofread text messages. However, the newest upgrade to Siri is left out for now.
“Working with local partners on Apple Intelligence signifies a structural concession by Apple regarding its pricing and defining power over the AI experience in the Chinese market”Zhang Yi, founder of research firm iiMedia
Big Challenges Ahead
Research firm Omdia notes that over 110 million iPhones across China can run Apple Intelligence, giving the brand a solid start. Even so, analysts warn that local competition remains stiff.
Apple reported a 21 per cent rise in revenue in Greater China, which covers Hong Kong and Taiwan, for the last quarter. Yet, new chief executive officer John Ternus faces major hurdles as local rivals push hard with their own AI ecosystems.
What happens next
Public access to Apple Intelligence services in China is scheduled to begin in December, according to a company statement.
