- Apple iPhone 16 series is likely to face another setback in China as it hasn't received approval for its suite of AI features.
- The tech giant is in talks with local partners such as Beidu to integrate AI as chances of approval for non-Chinese companies are slim.
- If it doesn't go through, this could potentially spiral Apple's sales since it is banking on AI features for iPhone 16 series.
Apple is feeling the threatening force of Huawei’s resurgence in terms of AI features and newer & faster chipsets in China. However, that’s probably not it. Turns out Apple Intelligence — Apple’s AI, might not be able to be a part of Apple’s giant push with the iPhone 16 launch this year in China as well. This comes from the latest report claiming there’s no approval from Chinese authorities at the time of writing this.
iPhone 16 AI Approval Halted: Stop Waiting for AI Features on iPhone 16
Companies require approval from the concerned Chinese authorities to integrate AI features on their devices. For instance, the iPhone 16 series is expected to get a full-blown Apple Intelligence suite once it arrives this fall. However, the Chinese authorities haven’t awarded any approval as of now. There’s less likelihood of any such arrangement given the fact that none of the 117 generative AI products that got a green light from the Office of the Central Cyberspace Affairs Commission are from outside the country.
Since Apple will heavily use OpenAI’s ChatGPT, this move could act as a setback for the Cupertino-based giant. To counter the same, Apple has reportedly discussed the same with Chinese AI partners including Baidu. Samsung did the same with Baidu and Meitu AI after launching an AI-laden Galaxy S24 series since Google’s Gemini was banned in the country.
Smartphone makers tend to localize features and downgrade/upgrade them based on the country. For instance, China is currently the largest market for Apple outside the US where it hasn’t launched Apple TV+ for Vision Pro and the iCloud uses state-owned enterprise servers, to name a few.
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Coming back to the AI features, it remains a question whether the iPhone 16 series will get the local AI partner in time for its big launch this fall. Apple has already seen a steep decline in production in China over the last year. It is banking on the AI features that iPhone 16 series will bring onboard but only time will tell whether the Chinese population gets to use these features.
