The iPhone 16 is being marketed with two main highlights: Apple Intelligence and camera controls. However, despite its strong focus on AI features, Apple has yet to roll out Apple Intelligence in China – one of its most important markets.
That could be about to change as a new report suggests Apple is considering partnering with DeepSeek.
A major barrier to Apple Intelligence’s presence in China is the legality of AI models. Strict regulations in the country have prevented Apple from using the same AI models as in other regions. DeepSeek, an AI model that has recently caused a stir in the industry, has come at the right time, providing a great opportunity for Apple to solve this problem.
Thanks to its significantly cheaper operating costs, DeepSeek could become a viable alternative to the AI model Apple is using in the West.
More importantly, the fact that this is a Chinese AI model makes the approval process much simpler. If Apple Intelligence were to officially enter this market with the support of DeepSeek, it could significantly improve iPhone sales, especially in the context of Apple gradually losing market share to domestic manufacturers - brands that consumers perceive as providing higher value for money.
However, even if Apple Intelligence were to be present in China, this would not solve the core problems of this AI platform.
The biggest challenge remains the lack of completion and constant delays. Siri, the virtual assistant that was supposed to completely change the way users interact with the iPhone, has yet to receive a significant upgrade. According to multiple sources, a major improvement to Siri may have to wait until 2026.
Apple Intelligence has also been criticized for making frequent mistakes in simple tasks like summarizing news or messages. These summaries are sometimes completely different from the original content, leading to situations that are both humorous and disturbing.
