Apple's Challenge in China Rises With New Rival Phones and AI Delay
Apple faces more pressure from Chinese rivals that are selling phones with advanced features while Chinese consumers aren't getting the latest iPhone artificial-intelligence services.Introducing its iPhone 16 lineup at a California event, Apple promoted Apple Intelligence features for U.S. users such as an enhanced version of its voice assistant Siri. It didn't say when the AI services would be available in China, its second-largest market after the U.S., although it said the system would start supporting the Chinese language next year.The delay puts the iPhone maker at a disadvantage against rivals offering AI services, including Chinese handset makers such as Huawei, Honor and Oppo. Sales of iPhones in China have declined for four consecutive quarters, weaker than the overall Chinese market, according to market intelligence firm Counterpoint Research.A half-day after Apple's event, Huawei held its own announcement in China to release the Mate XT, a three-way foldable smartphone. The
