BEIJING, December 7, 2025 – Regulatory delays blocking Apple’s AI features in China have given domestic smartphone leaders an unexpected edge, as Huawei, Xiaomi, Oppo, Vivo, and Honor roll out migration incentives and advanced AI tools to pull users from the iPhone ecosystem.
Beijing’s internet regulator has yet to approve Apple Intelligence, citing national security amid escalating U.S.-China frictions. The holdup extends to hardware: Apple shelved the September debut of its slimmer iPhone Air model in the country pending clearance.
These snags contrast with the fluid AI rollouts from Chinese firms, which are promoting seamless data transfers and hybrid device use to ease iOS defections.
In 2025, the top five vendors launched apps simplifying switches from Apple, tackling longstanding barriers like file migration. Honor’s latest devices exemplify the trend, coordinating apps to scan coupons across shopping platforms, streamline taxi bookings via ride-hailing integrations, and auto-edit user videos into clips. Such features highlight AI’s practical edge over Apple’s locked-in environment.
Lucas Zhong, an analyst at Omdia, observed the momentum shift: “Chinese smartphone vendors are clearly moving faster and with greater openness in AI development.
While it may take time for these strategies to deliver meaningful conversions, they will undoubtedly add pressure to Apple’s operations in China.”
Xiangdong Li, AI product director for Honor’s Magic operating system, welcomed the gap: “Apple is a truly great company, and it’s one our entire industry should learn from, benchmark against and even surpass. If Apple moves slowly, that presents a great opportunity for us, right?”
Foldables add another layer: JPMorgan anticipates Apple’s entry into the category next year, but Chinese brands already dominate with models boasting larger screens and AI enhancements. Globally, Apple remains ascendant.
A Counterpoint Research projection holds it overtaking Samsung as the top seller and holding the spot through 2029, driven by upgrade cycles from pandemic purchases.
Apple’s China challenges compound with talent outflows—dozens of engineers joining OpenAI and Meta—straining its AI pipeline. The iPhone 17 series has posted strong initial sales locally, but prolonged delays risk eroding loyalty in a market where innovation moves at breakneck speed.
As tensions persist, Beijing’s policies afford a brief window for rivals to gain ground, testing Apple’s resilience while underscoring China’s growing clout in mobile tech.
