Apple Faces Criticism in China Over Lack of AI in New iPhones as Huawei Gains Ground

The latest iPhones unveiled by Apple lack AI in China and people are angered while Huawei’s advancement continues.

It is widely believed that China consumers are dissatisfied with the newest iPhone released by Apple as it lacks the integration of new age Artificial Intelligence. This has created concern for the tech giant particularly when Huawei is now a more enhanced competitor.

Apple released the new iPhone 16 on Monday. The company has been making new models of iPhones to appeal to the market every year. It has some Artificial Intelligence enhancements. Chinese users, however, claimed on SNS to be annoyed because the company has not partnered with a Chinese AI vendor. Chinese language availability of Apple Intelligence, its AI software in particular, will only be available from next year at the soonest.

A large number of Chinese Internet users mentioned the iPhone 16 for example on Weibo where many expressed their disappointment stating that the new models did not have AI. It was noticeable that “ iPhone 16 Chinese version doesn’t support AI yet” which has more than 11 million views. Some of the users argued that there was no reason of getting the phone if the AI features will not be allowed. It turns out one stocking asked, “What is the point of buying it if one can’t use an AI?”

On the same note, Huawei, Apple’s main competitor in China, is planning to launch a new phone with a tri-fold screen. This new device was embraced warmly on Weibo as a lot of people felt that it was better than what Huawei has to offer.

For instance, in China, Apple has been reducing the prices in a bid to compete with Huawei, which recently displaced Apple as the third main smartphone seller in the country. For that same reason, it may not have a negative effect on Apple’s sales in the short term that the iPhone 16 lacks AI.

Analyst at Canalys, Toby Zhu’s statement was also insightful, he explained, “currently, in China, AI is not a key area of focus for consumers, but if local brands try to invest more time and resources on AI, it will majorly affect Apple’s position there in the future.”

While many have criticised Apple many users in China for instance appreciate its iOS and how dedicated its users are. It will be available beginning this Friday; you can begin pre-ordering the iPhone 16; you will begin receiving them on the 20th of September.

But as the competition gets hotter especially with the entry of Huawei, Apple might need to shift gears on its AI products, and adapt to the local market to maintain the dominance it enjoys in the world’s largest smartphone market, specifically in China.