$AAPL took almost two years to get approval to bring AI to iPhones in China. It waited so long that it ended up hiring two Chinese competitors. 🫠

Its own Apple Intelligence couldn't be launched there. They solved it by using Qwen from $BABA and $BIDU as a backup. The regulator approved it on Wednesday; even Apple doesn't know when it will launch yet.

Moreover, last year they sold dozens of percent more iPhones in China than the year before – AI is meant to help catch up with Huawei. Alibaba up 4% on the news.

A company that can't use its own Siri with $GOOG inside is relying on two rivals at once. 🤷

BTW. $AAPL hit a new ATH today.