Apple’s AI Shortfall in New iPhones Disappoints China Users Amid Rising Huawei Threat | Breaking Tech News

Apple’s recent iPhone 16 launch has faced criticism in China due to its lack of artificial intelligence features, raising concerns as the tech giant competes with Huawei in the world’s largest smartphone market. Despite the AI-boosted capabilities of the new iPhone, Apple has yet to announce an AI partner in China, and its AI software, Apple Intelligence, will not support Chinese until next year.

The iPhone 16 dominated conversations on Chinese social media, particularly on Weibo, with the topic trending heavily. A hashtag highlighting the phone’s absence of AI features attracted significant attention, sparking debates among users who questioned the purchase value without AI capabilities.

The iPhone 16 and 16 Plus are priced on par with their predecessors, despite earlier aggressive price cuts by Apple in China due to government restrictions on foreign phones and increasing domestic competition from brands like Huawei. Some Weibo users expressed a preference for Huawei’s upcoming tri-fold smartphone, underscoring its growing popularity in China.

Analysts suggest that the lack of AI features in the iPhone 16 might not significantly impact short-term sales. However, they caution that as domestic brands leverage AI as a key differentiator, Apple’s market position could be affected unless it swiftly establishes a localized AI ecosystem in China. Nonetheless, Apple’s strong customer loyalty and powerful operating system continue to draw Chinese consumers, suggesting that users of older iPhone models might still drive sales. Pre-orders for the new iPhone commence on Friday through platforms like JD.com, with deliveries starting on September 20.

Original Story https://www.business-standard.com/technology/tech-news/apple-s-ai-gap-in-new-iphones-hits-china-users-as-huawei-threat-looms-124091000368_1.html
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