The Upcoming iOS Updates: Major News for Apple Intelligence

Published: Sep 28, 2025, 4:38 PM

In 2024, Apple unveiled its suite of artificial intelligence features for the iPhone, known as Apple Intelligence. However, this initiative remains incomplete, particularly regarding an upgraded version of the Siri digital assistant. Furthermore, these features haven't yet launched in China, a critical market for the company. This situation may be about to change.

Apple insider Mark Gurman revealed in his newsletter, "Power On," that the next two iOS 26 updates will be particularly significant for the Chinese region. iOS 26.2 and iOS 26.3 are expected to introduce formal support for Apple’s AI services in the country. In preparation for this, the recent iOS 26.1 update has already added support for Traditional Chinese and Mandarin.

Chinese consumers have had to use their iPhone 16 without the benefit of Apple Intelligence, even though this feature was heavily marketed during the phone's launch. While the iPhone 17's launch this month did not focus much on AI, it was implied that AI will play a significant role in the company’s products moving forward.

As a result, iPhone 16 sales took a hit in China, only recovering after Apple was compelled to offer discounts on its devices. Currently, new challenges are arising for the iPhone in China. For instance, the iPhone Air is still unavailable in the country due to its reliance on e-SIM technology.

If the next two iOS 26 updates successfully bring Apple Intelligence to the iPhone in China, the company will finally fulfill its promise regarding the most marketed feature of last year’s flagship phones.

Of course, this situation isn't entirely Apple's fault. The Chinese government has made it difficult to introduce Apple Intelligence in the country, insisting on control over the capabilities of AI features. The solution Apple is pursuing involves allowing Chinese companies to manage the AI tools on the iPhone, enabling any necessary censorship.

Despite the absence of Apple Intelligence for two consecutive generations, the iPhone 17 has been very popular in China, just as it has around the globe.

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