The iPhone 18 Pro is on the way with rumored features such as a 2nm chipset, a bigger battery, a variable aperture camera, and a smaller Dynamic Island. Unless Apple has been hiding a massive secret, the device sounds like an incremental upgrade. Despite that, its chances of success just increased significantly.
The China approval
Apple Intelligence cleared for deployment in China. | Image by Ice Universe
The hurdle has been cleared. The Cyberspace Administration of China just gave the go-ahead, meaning the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Ultra will likely be the first iPhones sold in the country with Apple's suite of AI features.
The Chinese version won't rely on Google and OpenAI. The iPhone maker will have different partners in China.
Alibaba will provide a filtering layer to ensure Apple's AI features meet regulatory compliance, while Baidu will power the core features.
Perfect timing
Even though Apple Intelligence debuted two years ago, it has been largely lacklustre so far. With iOS 27, Apple plans to finally deliver on its original vision for the tech.
The timing is crucial. While the iPhone 17 did well in China even without AI, the iPhone 18 Pro might not have been so lucky.
Could AI bolster iPhone 18 Pro sales in China?
99 Votes
They are accustomed to better AI models.
16.16%
Apple Intelligence is nothing special.
38.38%
New Apple Intelligence is certainly promising.
17.17%
Not AI, but the 2nm chip and variable aperture camera might.
28.28%
Continuing the momentum
Q4 2025 was Apple's best quarter in China since 2021, thanks to strong iPhone 17 sales. China is Apple's second-largest market, and the company had been struggling there due to competition from local brands.
The growth momentum is continuing, with analytics firm IDC claiming that Apple was the fastest-growing company in Q2. That's notable because the rest of the market shrank.
Counterpoint didn't quite agree, claiming Huawei was the only brand that grew. Both firms still listed Apple as the second-largest vendor.
Uncertain times
The broader Chinese market has declined recently due to rising smartphone prices prompted by memory inflation. While Apple hasn't raised prices yet, it has pulled back on discounts.
With the iPhone 18 Pro expected to be up to $300 more expensive, the novelty of fully approved Apple Intelligence might prompt Chinese buyers to ignore the price hike.
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Anam Hamid is a computer scientist turned tech journalist who has a keen interest in the tech world, with a particular focus on smartphones and tablets. She has previously written for Android Headlines and has also been a ghostwriter for several tech and car publications. Anam is not a tech hoarder and believes in using her gadgets for as long as possible. She is concerned about smartphone addiction and its impact on future generations, but she also appreciates the convenience that phones have brought into our lives. Anam is excited about technological advancements like folding screens and under-display sensors, and she often wonders about the future of technology. She values the overall experience of a device more than its individual specs and admires companies that deliver durable, high-quality products. In her free time, Anam enjoys reading, scrolling through Reddit and Instagram, and occasionally refreshing her programming skills through tutorials.
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