Chinese people are starting to value AI features in smartphones
Artificial intelligence features in iOS 18 could revive iPhone sales in China, as discussed in a recent article from DigiTimes.
iPhone sales in China have weakened since early 2024 amid the growing popularity of Android flagships that offer generative artificial intelligence features and foldable displays.
According to DigiTimes, in December 2023, Apple's revenue in China decreased by 13%, although it was previously the leading smartphone brand in the country in terms of shipments. In recent weeks, there have been reports of an even more serious decline in income — up to 40%.
DigiTimes confirms that iOS 18 will include a number of new artificial intelligence features, but warns that Apple needs to make significant progress in artificial intelligence to meet consumer expectations and revive the company's popularity in China amid stiff competition from brands such as Huawei, which are investing heavily in artificial intelligence research and development.
Earlier this year, Apple CEO Tim Cook said the company was working on generative artificial intelligence and would share details «later this year». Apple is expected to unveil iOS 18 at its annual WWDC developer conference in June, with the update expected to be released in September. Some new AI features could become exclusive to iPhone 16 models later this year, and the lineup is rumored to get a significantly upgraded Neural Engine.