Apple AI has made substantial progress in the Chinese market. According to a blogger @hi爱疯 and multiple users, Apple has started a "Apple Intelligence and Siri" gray-scale test for some mainland China devices since January 2, 2026.

It is reported that models such as the iPhone 16 Plus participating in the test have been upgraded to the latest iOS 26.2 version. Users who have obtained testing qualifications found that the original "Siri" settings have been renamed to "Apple Intelligence and Siri," and a new AI image generation app icon named "Photo Garden" has been added to the system desktop.

Although this move marks that Apple is accelerating the localization of AI features for mainland China, the initial user experience shows a split. Some feedback indicates that the performance of certain functions in practical operation has not yet fully met the impressive effects previously promoted by the official, and it is still in the polishing stage.

As the scope of the gray-scale test gradually expands, how Apple optimizes the intelligent performance of Siri and visual creation tools according to the habits of Chinese users will become the key for the subsequent official release.