Apple plans to launch Apple Intelligence in mainland China in December via an iOS 27.3 update, according to reports including Bloomberg. The rollout comes after a prolonged delay that followed Apple’s initial announcement of the feature set in 2024 and earlier partial regulatory clearances.
Multiple outlets say the China version will rely on Alibaba AI models. Specifically, Apple is expected to use Alibaba’s Qwen and Tongyi Wanxiang models, enabled after China grants network access permits that clear a key regulatory hurdle for integrating the models into Apple devices. Some reporting also notes Apple is working with additional local partners such as Baidu as part of the compliance requirements.
A consistent theme across the coverage is that the initial China launch will not include “Siri AI” (a rebuilt Siri capability). Outlets also describe other possible limitations, including narrower availability of certain creative and text-generation functions compared with other regions. Overall, the reports frame the launch as the first meaningful release of Apple Intelligence in China after an extended approval process, with functionality shaped by local AI rules.
