Apple Opens China Testing of AI Features Ahead of December Rollout
Key Facts
Apple opened testing of Apple Intelligence features in China with the latest iOS developer beta, ahead of their availability to users in December. The company said in its announcement that the generative AI models it built are the system’s primary engine. It added that Alibaba’s Qwen model will support selected experiences through Siri and the Writing Tools and Visual Intelligence features. The test gives developers a chance to try the functions before they reach users in the Chinese market. Apple did not specify a date in December for the launch.
Qwen’s role extends to specific requests in which Siri can connect to the model for answers. Apple said users can ask questions about images or documents, including PDFs and presentations. They can also access Qwen by signing in to a Qwen account or using Sign in with Apple. These functions rely on integrating the model into system tools, while Apple’s models remain the primary engine of Apple Intelligence. This arrangement allows Qwen to be used for selected tasks without the company presenting it as a replacement for its system.
The announced features include live translation and Writing Tools, which help rewrite, proofread and summarize text. The package also includes Visual Intelligence and the Clean Up tool for removing objects from photos, alongside Genmoji. It covers Mail and notifications, as well as summaries of audio recording transcripts in the Notes app and call transcripts. The first batch therefore combines content creation and review, image and document understanding, and some audio and communication tasks. Apple described these functions as part of the set of experiences that will reach users in China.
The supported devices, according to Apple’s list, are limited to iPhone 16 and later models, as well as iPhone Duo, iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max and iPhone Air. The features require Siri’s language and the device language to be set to English and Simplified Chinese. The available list does not specify additional conditions related to where the device was purchased or the Apple account region. These requirements define the devices and languages covered by the initial trials. The company did not mention a separate timeline in its announcement for expanding support to other models or settings.
The initial rollout will not include Siri AI or other next-generation Apple Intelligence features that Apple announced at WWDC 2026. The company said support for other platforms would follow once the necessary approvals are obtained, without giving a timeline. The announcement sets clear limits on what users will receive in the first phase, while next-generation functions remain outside it. The rollout comes in a market where China requires large language models and generative AI services to be registered with regulators before being offered to the public, Reuters reported. Apple did not link its choice of Qwen in the announcement to any specific regulatory reason.
The test comes in a Chinese smartphone market where shipments fell in the third quarter of 2026. Counterpoint Research said shipments declined 10% year on year, to their lowest level for a third quarter since 2012. The firm attributed the drop to higher memory prices, which raised component costs and worsened supply shortages. By contrast, Huawei’s shipments in China rose 19% year on year in the same quarter after the company raised its prices effective September 1, according to Counterpoint. These figures highlight the competition Apple faces as it introduces AI features, without determining their impact on sales.
China’s October services activity reading showed slower growth amid competitive and cost pressures. Reuters reported that companies cut average selling prices for a second consecutive month, while input prices rose at their fastest pace in five months. These indicators measure October conditions and add economic context to a market where Apple is introducing its new features. In trading on November 3, Apple shares closed at $331.9, while U.S.-listed Alibaba shares ended the session at $100.36. The next announced milestone is the features’ arrival for users in December, while the company has not specified a launch date.