Apple says Apple Intelligence will reach China with iOS 27.3
Apple says testing starts November 4, ahead of a December iOS 27.3 release with a limited, iPhone-only feature set in China.
By Maya Lindqvist · Senior Technology Correspondent
2 min read
Apple Intelligence China iOS 27.3 testing is due to begin November 4, with a public release planned for December, according to an Apple announcement reported by 9to5Mac. The rollout gives eligible iPhone users in China access to a first set of AI features, while the newer Siri AI assistant will remain unavailable.
Apple confirmed November 4 as the start of Apple Intelligence testing in China through the next iOS developer beta, 9to5Mac reported. That date does not necessarily mark the general release of the first iOS 27.3 beta; Apple said the public iOS 27.3 release is expected in December.
What Apple Intelligence features will China get with iOS 27.3?
According to 9to5Mac's account of Apple's announcement, the initial tools include Live Translation in Messages, FaceTime and Phone; Writing Tools; Genmoji; Clean Up in Photos; natural-language searches in Photos; priority notifications; notification summaries; Smart Reply; and Visual Intelligence.
Apple Intelligence is Apple's collection of AI-based features for tasks such as revising text, handling notifications and working with images. The company said China will get an improved Siri experience, including Type to Siri, but not Siri AI, the newer assistant capability available in some other markets.
Apple also said Alibaba's Qwen will be available for certain requests. The Qwen connection will extend to Writing Tools and Visual Intelligence, allowing users to ask about photos and documents, including PDFs and presentations, and to create original material through Writing Tools, according to 9to5Mac.
Which iPhones will support Apple Intelligence in China?
The initial launch applies only to iPhones. Apple said support for its other platforms will depend on additional regulatory approvals, 9to5Mac reported.
- iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max
- iPhone 16 and later models
- iPhone Air
- iPhone Duo
Users must set both their device language and Siri language to either English or Simplified Chinese to use the features, according to the report. That leaves the launch as a defined first phase rather than a simultaneous release across Apple's devices.
The China release follows earlier reports that Apple had faced regulatory delays in bringing Apple Intelligence to the country. 9to5Mac reported in October, citing Bloomberg, that the planned launch would omit Siri AI and some newer features; Apple's later announcement provided the current list of included tools and eligibility requirements.
The December release will therefore expand Apple Intelligence to eligible iPhone users in China, but it will not bring the full Siri AI experience or confirm a timetable for iPad, Mac or other platforms.
This story draws on original reporting from The Verge.