I need an iPhone with a physical SIM card.
If I bought an iPhone 16 in Hong Kong, will I be able to use ChatGPT when I get back to the USA?
What if I travel back and forth?
Will I lose ChatGPT in Hong Kong, and get ChatGPT back when I return to the US?
How does the Apple Intelligence restriction work?
Thanks very much for your help!
[Re-Titled by Moderator]
Hi there! 👋
Thanks for the great question — and you’re definitely not the only one asking this lately!
To clarify things a bit further beyond what’s already been shared: the availability of Apple Intelligence and some ChatGPT features (like integration with Siri or system apps) is tied not only to your region settings but also to your iPhone’s hardware model and regional variant.
If your iPhone 16 is purchased in Hong Kong, it likely has a model identifier ending in CH/A. Devices with this identifier — even when used abroad (e.g. in the US) — may not support Apple Intelligence at all, due to local restrictions Apple complies with.
What does that mean in practice?
If you’re someone who frequently travels between the US and Hong Kong and want full access to Apple’s latest AI features, you might want to consider a model designed for the US or international markets (e.g. with a suffix like LL/A).
Hope that helps clear things up — and safe travels wherever your iPhone takes you!
If the model number of your phone ends in CH/A, then no you will not get Apple Intelligence no matter what region your device is set to use. It would only be available if/when the service is allowed on devices meant for China distribution.
Thank you all for your replies. I went to the Apple Store in Hong Kong, and they told me the same thing. An iPhone 16 bought in China would probably end in CH/A, and it won't able to use ChatGPT anywhere in the world.
But because Hong Kong is a Special Administrative Region, their model ends in ZA/A
(see Settings - General - About - Model Number).
To travel between Hong Kong and US, a Hong Kong iPhone 16 is better, because , unlike Apple iPhone 16s bought in the US (which has 2 esim card slots), the ones purchased overseas have at least 1 physical SIM card slot.
I wish Apple makes iPhones from now on with 1 esim and 1 physical SIM card slot. Then I won't have to buy my iPhones overseas.
Hong Kong doesn't support esim at all and it's more important for me to have a physical SIM card slot than AI, so I took the plunge. I plan to give back to this community, and report whether ChatGPT works after I return to the US. ChatGPT won't work in Hong Kong because of regional restrictions, but it should work elsewhere.
Can I use ChatGPT and Apple Intelligence on an iPhone 16 bought in Hong Kong?
