Apple’s AI delay dents iPhone 16 enthusiasm in China, as Huawei gets ready to pounce

The Chinese language version of Apple Intelligence will only become available in 2025, with no words on whether it will land on the mainland

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An Apple store in Shanghai, China. Photo: Bloomberg

Iris Dengin ShenzhenandChe Panin Beijing

Published: 6:30pm, 10 Sep 2024Updated: 9:07am, 11 Sep 2024

Apple’s launch of the iPhone 16 has failed to impress consumers in China hoping to get a taste of its artificial intelligence (AI) technology, as the US tech giant grapples with competition from local behemoth Huawei Technologies, which launched a rival device just hours later.

The Cupertino, California-based smartphone maker on Monday unveiled the highly anticipated iPhone 16 series, its first AI-powered smartphone line-up. While many Chinese users have expressed excitement about Apple Intelligence, the firm’s on-device AI system, others pointed out that the feature will not be available in the Chinese language until next year.

Some consumers also questioned whether Apple’s promise to roll out the AI function in Chinese-speaking regions will cover the mainland, where generative AI technology is heavily regulated. To date, China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology has approved 188 large language models for public use in the country, none of which are released by foreign companies.

Globally, Apple’s built-in AI is powered in part by OpenAI’s GPT models, which have not been made available in China. Apple said on its website that the launch date of its AI feature in China will depend on the decision of Chinese regulators.

Apple CEO Tim Cook holds the new iPhone 16 Pro Max during an event at the Apple Park campus in Cupertino, California, on Monday. Photo: Bloomberg

“The absence of AI in China is akin to cutting one of Apple’s arms,” one commentator said on microblogging site Weibo. “With the biggest selling point unavailable, shouldn’t you charge us half the price?” read a popular comment.

Apple introduced four models of the latest version of its flagship device: the iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max, with prices starting at 5,999 yuan (US$843). Pre-orders will start on Friday, with shipments commencing on September 20.