Apple Intelligence China beta starts November 4, with Qwen
Edited and reviewed by AI Ping Editorial Team
3-line summary
- Public launch follows with iOS 27.3 in December.
- Translation, writing and photo features come first.
- Next-generation Siri AI is excluded.
Apple has set November 4 for the first developer testing of Apple Intelligence in mainland China, followed by a public launch with iOS 27.3 in December. Its October 31 China announcement also confirms Alibaba’s Qwen integration.
Users will get AI in writing, photography and communication functions, with optional Qwen support. Apple’s China product page places Qwen in Siri, Visual Intelligence and Writing Tools. It also supports typing to Siri when speaking aloud is inconvenient.
Writing Tools can proofread selected text, rewrite it in a friendly, professional or concise tone, and extract a summary or key points from that selected text. Apple’s iPhone guide also describes requesting a change in ordinary language. It says the tools work in most writing spaces, including third-party apps and websites. These are descriptions of the existing tools; China’s announced language and rollout conditions govern their local availability.
The supported phones include iPhone 16 and later, iPhone Duo, iPhone Air, and iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Apple specifies English or simplified Chinese for the device and Siri languages. The China release excludes Siri AI and the other next-generation Apple Intelligence features introduced at WWDC 2026.
Apple’s general support document currently restricts the service on compatible devices bought in mainland China. Purchases elsewhere are also restricted when the user’s location and Apple Account region are both mainland China. It says previously purchased compatible devices will be able to activate core functions when the China service launches.
Translation changes with the conversation
In Messages, Live Translation displays translated text as someone types and sends both versions. Incoming messages can be translated too. Apple’s September 23 guide says a language must be downloaded if missing. Translation runs on the device.
Phone calls notify both participants that translation is active, then offer spoken translations and an on-screen transcript. FaceTime displays translated live captions. Apple cautions that generative-model output can vary and important information needs checking. Phone enables speaker mode when no headset is used.
AirPods translation requires a compatible iPhone, enabled Apple Intelligence, the Translate app and current firmware. Compatible earphones include AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation, AirPods 5, AirPods Pro 2 and later, and AirPods Max 2.
Someone without compatible AirPods can read translated text or hear it through the iPhone speaker. Two equipped participants can each use earphones. Apple’s September 21 guide places translation processing on the iPhone after language models download.
The China product page also describes finding photographs and specific video moments through ordinary descriptions. A requested memory movie can be assembled from matching material, while Clean Up removes distracting objects. Mail can surface time-sensitive messages and summarize long threads. Transcripts from Notes recordings and phone calls are also included in its summarization examples.
Other platforms await approvals; no dates are announced.
Sources
- Apple 智能即将登陆中国 — Apple Newsroom China
- Apple 智能 — functions and supported iPhone models — Apple China
- 开始使用新一代 Apple Intelligence — Apple Support
- 在 iPhone 上使用实时翻译 — Apple Support
- 通过 AirPods 使用实时翻译 — Apple Support
- Use Writing Tools to write, improve and summarize content — iOS 27 guide — Apple iPhone User Guide
