Just saw a message from the Cyberspace Administration—Apple AI on domestic (China) models is solid this time.

In the list, besides Apple, all of these—Huawei, Xiaomi, OPPO, vivo, Samsung, and Nubia—have completed the filing for on-phone large models. The key is this “on-device side,” which means the large model runs directly on your phone hardware, instead of sending everything to the cloud.

What I feel most is that Siri—the “artificial idiot” I’ve had since the iPhone 4S—has been around for nearly 15 years. Other than setting an 8:00 a.m. alarm for me tomorrow or asking about the weather, it basically hasn’t done much. Finally, it looks like it’s about to connect with the real thing.

Apple moved quickly this time, finishing the process before the new OS official release. Obviously, it doesn’t want the iPhone 18 Pro launch to turn into an awkward “crippled version.” If you currently have an iPhone 16 Pro or above, you’ll probably be able to experience it in the first batch.

Looking at the 7 manufacturers on this list, Chinese phone makers have actually been running ahead of Apple in AI. Huawei and Xiaomi have already put large models into the system’s lower layers long ago. Apple entering now is more like playing catch-up.

But for me, even if it can only automatically sort the messy screenshots in my photo album, or if it can understand what I say, help me find people or images—then this few-thousand-yuan upgrade cost is still worth it. As long as it doesn’t make me have to say “Hey Siri” three times at the screen and still get no response.