Tech & AI
Apple reportedly plans a limited Apple Intelligence launch in China
Apple plans to bring a smaller version of its AI features to Chinese iPhones in December, according to reports. It would leave out AI-powered Siri, which could limit any lift to iPhone demand there.
Quick Read
- Apple plans to launch Apple Intelligence in China in December, Bloomberg reported, but without AI-powered Siri, Image Playground or the newest Genmoji features.
- Chinese rules on foreign AI pushed Apple to work with local partners. New permits clear the use of Alibaba's AI models on supported iPhones, according to reports.
- Apple shares fell 0.3% on Thursday while the S&P 500 rose 0.3%.
- Apple is scheduled to report quarterly results on Nov. 2.
What is Apple reportedly planning in China?
Apple (Nasdaq: AAPL) plans to launch Apple Intelligence for iPhone users in China in December, Bloomberg reported Wednesday. Apple Intelligence is the company's set of artificial intelligence tools built into its devices.
Why it matters: The rollout is expected with a December software update. It would include photo-editing tools. It would leave out AI-powered Siri, Image Playground and the newest Genmoji features, the report said. Text-generation tools would stay limited.
Apple did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the December plan, according to reports.
Why has the launch taken so long?
Chinese rules on foreign AI technology kept the features out of the country after Apple introduced them elsewhere. Those rules pushed Apple to partner with Chinese companies.
Apple won early approval, with conditions, in July. It still needed further approval before offering the features to consumers, according to MacRumors.
On Wednesday, the South China Morning Post reported that China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology granted Apple network access permits. The permits clear the use of Alibaba's (NYSE: BABA) Qwen and Tongyi Wanxiang AI models on supported iPhones. Apple is also expected to submit future AI updates to Chinese regulators for approval, reports said.
How did Apple's stock move?
Apple shares fell 0.3% on Thursday to close at $342.00. The company lost $14 billion in market value, against a total value of about $5 trillion.
The broader S&P 500 rose 0.3%. The tech-heavy Nasdaq-100 edged down 0.1%. In after-hours trading, Apple shares fell another 0.3% to $340.81. It is not clear how much of the move was tied to the China reports.
What comes next?
What’s next: Bloomberg columnist Mark Gurman said Apple executives are not hopeful that AI-powered Siri will reach China soon. He added on X: "But I believe the updated Apple Intelligence will eventually land in China."
Apple is scheduled to report quarterly results on Nov. 2. Those results may give a fresh look at how the company's business in China is doing.
For readers
What it could mean for you: People who own Apple shares directly carry the company's China news in full, with no other holdings to offset it. A launch without AI-powered Siri could do less to lift iPhone demand in China than a full release might have. Any future AI features may also depend on further approval from Chinese regulators, which could slow later updates. Apple's quarterly results on Nov. 2 may offer more detail on how its China business is doing.
Questions and answers
When is Apple Intelligence coming to China?
Bloomberg reported that Apple plans to launch Apple Intelligence in China in December with a software update. Apple did not immediately comment, according to reports.
Will AI-powered Siri be available in China?
According to Bloomberg, the December update will not include AI-powered Siri. Bloomberg columnist Mark Gurman said Apple executives are not hopeful that AI-powered Siri will reach China soon.
Which AI models will Apple use in China?
The South China Morning Post reported that Chinese regulators granted Apple permits clearing the use of Alibaba's Qwen and Tongyi Wanxiang AI models on supported iPhones.
Why was Apple Intelligence delayed in China?
Chinese rules on foreign AI technology kept the features out and required Apple to partner with Chinese companies. Apple won early approval, with conditions, in July. It still needed further approval, according to MacRumors.
The numbers
| Apple (AAPL) price | $342.00 |
|---|---|
| Apple (AAPL) change | −0.28% |
| Apple (AAPL) market value | $5 trillion |
| S&P 500 change | +0.33% |
| 10-year Treasury yield | 5.10% |
Thursday’s close
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