Apple’s highly anticipated iPhone 16 launch in China has been met with disappointment and scorn, as the device lacks artificial intelligence (AI) features in the country.
This omission has sparked widespread criticism on social media, with many users questioning the value of the new device without AI capabilities.
“What’s the point of buying it if you can’t use AI?” wrote one Weibo user, while another commented, “Without AI as the biggest selling point, it should be half price.”
The absence of AI features in the iPhone 16 is particularly notable in China, where Apple faces growing competition from Huawei Technologies.
Huawei is set to unveil a three-way foldable smartphone later in the day, which is expected to further widen its lead over Apple in the Chinese market.
“Whether iPhone 16 has AI or not doesn’t affect me, because I’m going to buy Huawei’s tri-fold phone,” wrote one Weibo user, highlighting the growing popularity of Huawei’s latest models in China.
However, some analysts predict that the lack of AI features in the iPhone 16 will not have a significant impact on near-term sales.
“Chinese consumers are not yet driven to upgrade by AI capabilities … However, in the long run, as domestic brands use AI as a key differentiator for their flagship products, it will negatively affect Apple,” said Toby Zhu, an analyst at Canalys.
Apple has yet to announce an AI partner in China to power the iPhone 16, and its AI software, Apple Intelligence, will not be available in Chinese language until next year.
This delay has sparked concerns about Apple’s ability to compete in the Chinese market, where AI features are increasingly seen as a key selling point.
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