Reportedly: Apple to launch Apple Intelligence in mainland China via iOS 27.3 in December with Baidu and Alibaba as suppliers
Reported by IT Home · not yet confirmed by the company or a second independent outlet. We update this page when it is.
Apple plans to launch Apple Intelligence in mainland China via iOS 27.3 in December, IT Home reported, citing Bloomberg. The rollout covers iPhone, iPad, and Mac with AI features first released in the US two years ago, excluding the new Siri AI assistant. Baidu will provide search and Siri-related functions, while Alibaba is also named as a supplier.
China context
- Original name
- 苹果智能
- Outside China
- Not stated in the sources yet
- Claims
- Company-reported; not yet independently evaluated
- For builders
- Developers targeting Apple platforms in China may need to integrate with Baidu or Alibaba services for AI features, subject to Apple's final implementation.
- For investors
- Investors should monitor whether the reported partnership leads to increased adoption of Baidu and Alibaba AI services within Apple's ecosystem in China.
Translated from Chinese. Quotes and facts link to the original sources.
Apple is reportedly preparing to launch Apple Intelligence in mainland China through the iOS 27.3 update in December, according to IT Home citing Bloomberg. The initial release will include AI features that debuted in the US two years ago across iPhone, iPad, and Mac, but will not include the new Siri AI assistant announced this year. The service passed generative AI service filing with the Cyberspace Administration of China on July 8 and obtained launch approval on September 29. Apple is said to be collaborating with Baidu on search and Siri-related functions, consistent with earlier reports that Baidu's software services will be embedded in Siri and Visual Intelligence. Alibaba is also mentioned as a supplier. Code-level evidence from iOS 27 Beta 2 shows a new system component related to Baidu.
The evidence indicates integration of Baidu's software services into Siri and Visual Intelligence, with code-level traces found in iOS 27 Beta 2. However, specific technical details such as API endpoints, model names, or data handling are not provided in the evidence.
Apple's entry into mainland China's AI market with local partners Baidu and Alibaba will require those partners to meet Chinese regulatory requirements, potentially shifting competitive dynamics for domestic AI providers and affecting how Apple's AI features are delivered to Chinese users.
For Apple, partnering with Baidu and Alibaba enables compliance with Chinese regulations and access to the mainland China market for AI features. For Baidu and Alibaba, this collaboration could expand their reach into Apple's ecosystem and increase usage of their AI services.
The next verifiable signal is the official release of iOS 27.3 in December and whether Apple Intelligence becomes available to mainland China users as reported. Confirmation from Apple or the named partners would validate the reported timeline and supplier roles.