Ahead of Apple's quarterly earnings report later this month, we're getting a better picture of how the iPhone 16 lineup is selling — and it's looking very good. The latest evidence comes in the form of a sales report in China, where Apple is seeing big launch numbers despite uncertainty surrounding the rollout of Apple Intelligence.
iPhone 16 Pro lineup makes huge gains over 15 Pro
Vlad Savov writes for Bloomberg:
Sales of Apple Inc.'s newest iPhones in China rose 20% in the first three weeks compared with the 2023 model, a positive sign for a device that has struggled to gain traction in the world's largest smartphone market this year.
The iPhone 16 debuted in September and has so far outsold its predecessor, according to Counterpoint Research data provided to Bloomberg News. Consumers continue to upgrade to higher-end models, with sales of the top-end Pro and Pro Max models up 44% from their year-ago equivalents.
Previous reports have suggested the iPhone 16 is off to a strong start overall.
But it’s a different story to see the same thing happening in China. For two reasons:
- The iPhone has struggled there lately, thanks to increased competition and a strong interest in AI and foldable devices.
- It’s hard to pinpoint Apple Intelligence as the sole driver of sales success, as China is one of the parts of the world with the most uncertainty about Apple’s rollout.
The Unanswered Question of Apple Intelligence
When Apple Intelligence launches later this month, it will only be available in US English.
However, users in most parts of the world will still be able to access the AI features if their devices are set to US English.
China and the EU are two exceptions, however. While the situation in the EU is complicated, the barriers to enabling Apple Intelligence in China may be even greater. Savov writes:
Analysts have warned that the iPhone 16 could perform poorly in China given the lack of a local partner to support the AI features. Beijing has banned overseas AI models, meaning Apple may have to enlist the help of a local partner like Baidu Inc.
So far, Apple has had little to say about bringing Apple Intelligence to China. We know that Tim Cook has mentioned that the company is working with local regulators in both China and the EU. And we know that the company plans to roll out Chinese language support in 2025.
Hopefully, this first wave of iPhone 16 buyers won’t be disappointed by the long delay in getting Apple Intelligence. Otherwise, the launch’s success could quickly turn the other way.
How important do you think Apple Intelligence is to iPhone 16 buyers? Let us know in the comments.
