Apple Intelligence to Launch in China With iOS 27.3 in December
Apple plans to launch Apple Intelligence in China in December with iOS 27.3, after about two years of regulatory delays. The release will include basic features such as photo editing, but not Siri AI or some text-generation tools.
Apple plans to launch Apple Intelligence in China in December alongside iOS 27.3. Bloomberg reported the planned release.
Apple introduced its first Apple Intelligence features in iOS 18.1, but they have not been available in China. The expected rollout will offer a limited set of capabilities, including tools for photo editing.
Features excluded from the Chinese release
The Chinese version will not include Siri AI, Image Playground or the newer version of Genmoji. Text-generation tools will also be limited.
The South China Morning Post reported that China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology recently granted Apple network-access permits to add Alibaba’s Qwen and Tongyi Wanxiang models to the iPhone Duo, iPhone 18 Pro and earlier iPhone models.
Apple received initial clearance to launch Apple Intelligence in China in July, but required additional approval for a consumer release. Because China restricts foreign AI technology, Apple had to work with Alibaba and Baidu, while Chinese authorities must approve ongoing updates to the AI models.
Huawei and other smartphone competitors in China have offered AI features for some time. Apple has been at a disadvantage in the market without comparable tools.
What we know
- Apple plans to release Apple Intelligence in China in December with iOS 27.3.
- The Chinese rollout will include basic features such as photo editing.
- Siri AI, Image Playground and the newer Genmoji version will be unavailable.
- Apple is working with Alibaba and Baidu, while Chinese authorities must approve model updates.
Trust: Single source
- The story relies on one publisher. A second independent confirmation has not been established from the cited sources.
- Sources: MacRumors.
COMMUNITY
Discussion
Sign in to join the discussion.
Loading comments…