Ethan Chee, associate director at Counterpoint Research, said that at this stage, smartphones' generative AI capabilities will not be a deciding factor in consumers' purchasing decisions “at least not until 2024.”
“It's still just hype at this point,” Chee said. “In a few years, once the bubble phase is over, consumers will see the real difference between an AI phone and the one they currently own, and they will upgrade their phones.”
From Meizu to Oppo, Chinese smartphone vendors step up AI integration into their devices
From Meizu to Oppo, Chinese smartphone vendors step up AI integration into their devices
Still, the latest AI-enabled devices from Chinese vendors have given this emerging market segment an early start. China shipped 5 million AI-enabled smartphones last year, more than any other market in the world, according to Canalys data.
With all major vendors launching their own large-scale language models (LLMs), the technology used to train ChatGPT and similar AI services, mainland smartphone manufacturers are increasingly using generated AI on their devices. We are urgently stepping up our efforts to do so.
Counterpoint predicts global shipments of generative AI-enabled (GenAI) smartphones to reach more than 100 million units this year, up from approximately 47 million units in 2023, and rapidly expand to 552 million units by 2027. .
GenAI handsets, a subset of AI smartphones, not only provide pre-programmed responses and perform pre-defined tasks, but also use generative AI technology to create original content.
However, AI services trained only in Chinese LLMs may lose their edge when brought to overseas markets, Counterpoint's Qi said.
“Different countries have different market-specific requirements for LLMs, from privacy to content generation,” Qi said. “Chinese smartphone vendors may need to rely on partnerships with overseas GenAI.” [system] We compete with providers and compete to acquire exclusive features from these partners in order to provide consumers with a better experience than our competitors. ”
Some insights could be gained by testing AI capabilities in China, the world's largest smartphone market, before taking them overseas, Zhong said. But question marks remain over whether that will be enough for Chinese AI terminal vendors to succeed outside their home market.
As such, it is still unclear how Honor will be able to localize the AI capabilities of its devices by convincing overseas partners to open application programming interfaces and join the company's ecosystem, he added. .
Chinese consumers are not impressed with Samsung phones equipped with Baidu AI
Chinese consumers are not impressed with Samsung phones equipped with Baidu AI
China's leading smartphone maker is up against innovative technology powerhouses such as Samsung, which promised to extend AI capabilities across its product portfolio at MWC Barcelona.
Apple dealers cut iPhone prices in China as Huawei lures away buyers
Apple dealers cut iPhone prices in China as Huawei lures away buyers
Although Huawei remains “resolutely committed” to overseas markets, the company currently has no plans to take the Mate 60 Pro outside of China, said James Warren, head of international media for Huawei's consumer business group. Speaking on the sidelines of MWC Barcelona this week. .
