iPhone 16 sales in China are surprisingly great, despite Apple Intelligence uncertainty Chris Mendez | usagoldmines.com

Forward of Apple’s quarterly earnings later this month, we’re getting a greater image of how the iPhone 16 line is promoting—and it seems superb. The most recent proof is a report on gross sales in China, the place Apple is seeing huge launch numbers regardless of uncertainty round its Apple Intelligence rollout.

iPhone 16 Professional line makes enormous features over 15 Professional

Vlad Savov writes for Bloomberg:

Gross sales of Apple Inc.’s latest iPhones in China are up 20% of their first three weeks in contrast with 2023’s mannequin, a optimistic signal for a tool that struggled this yr to realize traction on the earth’s largest smartphone market.

The iPhone 16 debuted in September and has outperformed its predecessor up to now, based on Counterpoint Analysis information supplied to Bloomberg Information. Shoppers proceed to shift to the pricier fashions, and gross sales of the top-end Professional and Professional Max fashions gained 44% in contrast with final yr’s equivalents.

Prior reporting has indicated the iPhone 16 is off to a typically sturdy begin.

However it’s one other factor completely to see that the identical is true in China. For 2 causes:

The iPhone has struggled there of late within the face of elevated competitors and robust curiosity in AI and foldables.
It’s exhausting to level to Apple Intelligence as the only real driver of gross sales success, since China is one a part of the world with probably the most uncertainty round Apple’s rollout.

The unanswered query of Apple Intelligence

When Apple Intelligence launches later this month, it would solely be accessible in US English.

Nevertheless, customers in many of the world can nonetheless entry AI options if their system is about to US English.

China and the EU are two exceptions, nevertheless. Whereas the state of affairs within the EU is messy, the limitations to enabling Apple Intelligence in China could also be even better. Savov writes:

Analysts had warned that the iPhone 16 may fare poorly in China, given the absence of an area companion to energy AI options. Beijing has barred foreign-developed AI fashions, which means Apple could should safe an area companion akin to Baidu Inc.

Apple up to now has had little or no to share about bringing Apple Intelligence to China. We all know that Tim Cook dinner talked about the corporate was working with native regulators in each China and the EU. And we all know that the corporate plans to roll out support for Chinese in 2025.

Hopefully, this preliminary wave of iPhone 16 consumers doesn’t find yourself disillusioned by a protracted delay getting Apple Intelligence. In any other case, the launch success may shortly flip one other course.

How vital do you assume Apple Intelligence is to iPhone 16 consumers? Tell us within the feedback.