China’s iPhone fans are let down by Apple’s latest models. Discover why the new iPhones lack the AI features and innovative design Chinese consumers crave for their next smartphone.
The absence of artificial intelligence elements in Apple’s new iPhone launch was criticized on Tuesday in China, posing a challenge to the American behemoth as it faces increasing competition from China’s Huawei Technologies in the largest smartphone market globally.
In an effort to encourage customers to upgrade during a slump in smartphone sales, which make up more than half of its overall sales, Apple announced its much anticipated, AI-enhanced iPhone 16 on Monday.
However, Apple has not yet revealed a Chinese AI partner to power the 16s, while its AI software, Apple Intelligence, won’t be accessible in Chinese until the following year.
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Before Huawei unveiled a three-way foldable cellphone later in the day, the iPhone 16 announcement dominated conversations on Chinese social networks on Tuesday.
With AI features being a major topic of debate, the debut of the iPhone 16 accounted for three of the top ten hot topics on Weibo, China’s equivalent of X.
Apple’s China Conundrum: Lack of AI Features in New iPhones Sparks Frustration and Concern
The topic “16s Chinese version lacks AI support” has garnered over 1,500 comments and 11.33 million views on Weibo.
A Weibo user inquired, “If AI cannot be utilized, what is the purpose of purchasing it?” “It should be half price without AI being the biggest selling point,” said another commenter.
The price of the iPhone 16 as well as 16 Plus is the same as that of the versions they replace. Apple aggressively reduced prices early this year in China as its smartphone sales were negatively impacted by local competition and government bans on using phones with foreign brands.
Other Weibo users likened Apple’s unveiling to Huawei’s new phone, which is set to be introduced as the Chinese company looks to expand its advantage over Apple in its own market.
One Weibo user stated, “Whether the 16s has AI in it or not doesn’t matter to me, because I’m going to purchase Huawei’s tri-fold phone,” highlighting the rising demand for Huawei’s newest models in China, which allowed it to overtake Apple as the nation’s third-largest smartphone seller in the second quarter.
However, a few analysts forecasted that the16’s lack of AI features wouldn’t likely have a significant effect on sales in the near future.
“AI capabilities do not yet motivate Chinese customers to upgrade… But in the long term, Apple will suffer as domestic manufacturers embrace AI as a major differentiation for their flagship goods, according to Toby Zhu, a researcher at Canalys, a market research firm focused on technology.
According to Zhu, in order for Apple to stay competitive, it must localize its products and quickly create an AI application as well as service ecosystem in China.
IDC researcher Will Wong claims that Chinese consumers are still drawn to Apple’s robust operating system.
Apple’s great client stickiness is the company’s main edge over competitors. In the lack of AI, Apple’s sales might still be sustained by the replacement demands of its iPhone 11, 12, and 13 series consumers.”
“Wong commented that it is still premature to determine the victor.” The next Apple’s phone will be available for preorder in China starting on Friday, September 20, via online shops like JD.com.
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