TECH

China Clears Mobile AI Models, Paving Way for Apple Intelligence

Published: Jul. 16, 2026 3:06 a.m. GMT+8

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Apple’s flagship store in Shanghai on June 26, 2026. Photo: VCG

China has granted regulatory approval to seven mobile artificial intelligence services, including Apple Intelligence and Samsung Galaxy AI, paving the way for the rollout of advanced on-device features in the world's largest smartphone market.

The list published July 15 by the Cyberspace Administration of China marks the first time the internet watchdog has cleared AI models specifically tailored for smartphones, with domestic manufacturers Huawei Technologies Co., Xiaomi Corp., Oppo, Vivo and Nubia also securing approvals.

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China approved seven mobile AI services (Apple Intelligence, Samsung Galaxy AI, and domestic brands) on July 15, 2025, enabling advanced features in its smartphone market.
Alibaba’s Tongyi Qwen model will power Apple Intelligence for Chinese users, replacing OpenAI/Gemini due to local data regulations.
Competition intensifies as ByteDance launched a Doubao-powered AI phone on Dec. 1, 2025, and Stepfun debuted an AI operating system on July 13, 2025.

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Who’s Who

Apple: Apple's Apple Intelligence service received regulatory approval in China on July 15. To comply with strict local data laws, Apple will integrate Alibaba's Tongyi Qwen model instead of its overseas partners like OpenAI and Google. This clears the way for Apple to compete in China's AI smartphone market.

Samsung: China granted regulatory approval to Samsung Galaxy AI for mobile devices, clearing a major compliance hurdle. This allows Samsung to roll out advanced on-device AI features in China and compete against local rivals in the world's largest smartphone market.

Huawei: According to the article, Huawei was among the domestic manufacturers that secured regulatory approval from China for its mobile AI models in July 2025, enabling it to launch advanced smartphone AI features.

Xiaomi: Xiaomi Corp., a Chinese domestic manufacturer, secured regulatory approval for its mobile AI services from the Cyberspace Administration of China on July 15, enabling it to compete in the AI smartphone market.

Oppo: According to the article, Oppo secured regulatory approval for its mobile AI services in China from the Cyberspace Administration. Oppo confirmed the registration and stated it will continue integrating large models into smart devices under safe and compliant conditions.

Vivo: Vivo secured regulatory approval from China's Cyberspace Administration on July 15 for a mobile AI service tailored for smartphones. It was one of seven manufacturers approved, allowing it to roll out advanced on-device AI features in China.

Nubia: Nubia, a ZTE Corp. brand, secured Chinese regulatory approval for its AI model on July 15, 2025. It co-developed an AI smartphone with ByteDance and plans to launch a new mass-produced AI flagship phone at the 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference.

Alibaba: Alibaba's Tongyi Qwen model will power Apple Intelligence for Chinese users across iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and visionOS. The partnership, first disclosed in February 2025, was confirmed as Beijing approved seven mobile AI services. Alibaba's U.S. shares rose over 4% following the news.

ByteDance: ByteDance launched a trial AI assistant powered by its Doubao model on a smartphone co-developed with Nubia in December 2025. The assistant operates across multiple platforms for tasks like price comparison and restaurant booking, intensifying competition in China's AI smartphone market.

PDD Holdings: The article mentions PDD Holdings Inc.’s online shopping platform as an app where a ByteDance AI assistant could compare prices. This capability was part of a trial version of the assistant launched in December 2025 on a smartphone co-developed with Nubia.

ZTE: ZTE Corp.’s Nubia brand announced on July 8 that a new mass-produced AI flagship phone will debut at the 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference, according to the article.

Stepfun: Stepfun, an AI startup, launched a smart-agent operating system and showcased its STEPX Neo AI phone on July 13, 2025. Chairman Yin Qi stated the company is betting on smartphones for their portability, screen-based interaction, and strong computing power, though the hardware-software model's success remains uncertain.

OpenAI: According to the article, Apple relies on OpenAI to power its Apple Intelligence features in overseas markets, but due to China's strict data and AI regulations, Apple partners with local companies like Alibaba for the Chinese market.

Google: According to the article, Google's Gemini AI model is used by Apple to power Apple Intelligence in overseas markets, but not in China due to strict data and AI regulations. Instead, Apple partners with Alibaba for the Chinese market.

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What Happened When

July 8, 2026：: An executive at ZTE Corp.'s Nubia brand announced a new mass-produced AI flagship phone would debut at the 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference.