Summary of Key Points
After 766 days of waiting, Apple’s AI version for the Chinese market has finally received the necessary approval (registration for generative AI services), joining a group of seven smartphone manufacturers including Huawei and Xiaomi in passing the review process. However, this is just the first step; there are still three hurdles to overcome before it can be officially launched: compliance, hardware, and functionality. More crucially, Apple has adopted a “dual-track” strategy by partnering with Alibaba (responsible for generative AI) and Baidu (for search and Siri enhancements) to circumvent the challenges posed by the overseas versions of OpenAI and Google’s technology in the Chinese market. This collaboration is a critical battle that none of the parties can afford to lose—Apple needs to address its AI shortcomings to maintain its position in the high-end market; Alibaba wants to leverage Apple to expand its consumer user base; Baidu aims to secure its leading position in search services. Ultimately, what users care about is the overall quality of the experience.
Step One: Approval Does Not Equal Availability
Passing the registration process only grants a “ticket” to enter the market; to use the full capabilities of the AI on iPhones, additional hurdles must be overcome:
1. Compliance Details: While registration is a legal prerequisite, final coordination with Alibaba and Baidu is required (for example, image recognition functions must use domestic solutions instead of Google’s) to ensure that content review and data storage comply with Chinese regulations.
2. Hardware Requirements: AI services need to run directly on the phone’s chip (on-device models), which is only possible on iPhone 15 Pro and later models (A17 Pro chips). Older phones, such as the iPhone 15 standard edition, will not be compatible due to insufficient processing power and memory.
3. Functional Rollout in Phases: The official launch may occur with the iOS 27 update in September, but the initial set of features will not be as comprehensive as those in the overseas versions (which have been updated for two years). Basic functions like writing tools and AI image editing will be available first, while cross-app operations and the new Siri will be rolled out later.
Why Choose Alibaba and Baidu? Apple’s Strategic “Dual Insurance”
The overseas version of Apple’s AI uses OpenAI for generative tasks and Google for search services, but this combination does not work well in China. Therefore, Apple chose two local partners:
- Alibaba: Alibaba’s Qianwen platform is responsible for text generation and image understanding (e.g., writing copywriting and image editing). It has stable technology and cloud services, enabling long-term collaboration with Apple’s system updates.
- Baidu: Baidu’s search capabilities, combined with Siri enhancements, can complement Apple’s shortcomings. Moreover, Baidu does not compete with Apple’s core services (such as WeChat).
- Why Not Other Partners? Tencent and ByteDance have existing conflicts with Apple (e.g., payment fees and data tracking), making cooperation more complicated. Smaller companies like DeepSeek, although technically strong, lack the resources for sustained system adaptation and maintenance. Apple is looking for a “stable supply chain” rather than the “strongest models.”
Is This Cooperation a Windfall for Alibaba and Baidu?
For Alibaba and Baidu, this partnership represents a significant opportunity:
- Alibaba’s Qianwen: With only 167 million monthly active users, Alibaba can leverage Apple’s vast user base to promote its AI services and gain the benefit of Apple’s brand recognition.
- Baidu: The competitive search market (with players like DouBao and Perplexity) means integrating Baidu’s AI into Apple’s system provides a new channel for reaching hundreds of millions of users, strengthening its position in the search sector.
Does Apple Need to Address Its AI Shortcomings or Risk Losing the High-End Market?
Apple’s shipments in China increased by 20% in Q2, but AI is a critical factor. Competitors like Huawei and Xiaomi have already made AI a standard feature in their flagship models. If Apple lags for another two years, it may lose high-end users. However, there are risks: the overseas version of Apple’s AI has only received limited praise, and the newly adapted Chinese version might not offer an impressive initial experience. Additionally, Siri’s AI has not yet been fully approved, meaning it will be several versions behind the overseas version.
What Do Users Care About?
Regardless of the partners involved, users focus on two main aspects:
1. User Experience: How fast does the AI respond? Are tasks like image editing and copywriting smooth? Can cross-app operations (e.g., booking flights and sending messages with AI) work seamlessly?
2. Functionality: Does the AI meet daily needs (e.g., writing work summaries or removing unwanted objects from photos)? Will it be inferior to what is available on Android phones?
After two years of waiting, users want an intelligent experience that matches the price of iPhones—not just a basic AI feature. This is the real test for Apple.
In this AI competition, all three companies (Apple, Alibaba, and Baidu) have made significant investments. The ultimate outcome will be determined by user feedback. We will find out in September when the iOS 27 update is released.