Apple’s Smart Move: Embracing Intelligence in China

Apple has finally received approval from Chinese regulators for its Apple Intelligence, allowing the new AI features to be introduced to iPhones in China for the first time. This development was reported by Reuters.

According to the publication, the Cyberspace Administration of China has given the green light to Apple’s on-device generative AI service, along with other domestic AI systems. The Chinese version of Apple Intelligence will be different from the global version, as it will incorporate models from Chinese tech giants Baidu and Alibaba. Back in February 2025, reports indicated that Alibaba was taking the lead in developing the system, with Baidu playing a supporting role.

Alibaba has confirmed its involvement in the project, stating that Apple Intelligence in China will utilize its Qwen model for text and image generation.

Although an official launch date for Apple Intelligence in China has not been announced, government approval typically precedes a rollout by a few months. Therefore, it is expected to coincide with the release of iOS 27 and other fall operating system updates.

Apple has seen a significant increase in iPhone shipments in China, with a 24.4% year-over-year growth in the second quarter of 2026. This growth is notable in a market that experienced an overall decline in smartphone shipments.

While overall smartphone shipments in China dropped by 4.3%, Apple and Huawei were the only major vendors to see improvements. This uptick in sales could be partly attributed to the anticipation of Apple Intelligence being introduced in the country. The integration of AI features into iPhones is expected to boost Apple’s sales momentum, although it still trails behind local competitors like Huawei and Xiaomi who have already incorporated AI capabilities into their devices.

In a previous report by Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, it was revealed that Apple accidentally enabled the Apple Intelligence features for some Chinese users ahead of schedule. This inadvertent activation was quickly rectified by the company.

Apple also sought feedback from Chinese users through a form on its website, addressing various features such as notification summaries, focus mode, writing tools, and more. The company’s efforts to engage with Chinese users indicate its commitment to the market.

Overall, the approval of Apple Intelligence in China marks a significant milestone for Apple, positioning the company to capitalize on the growing demand for AI-powered technologies in the region.