Alibaba · Compact model that thinks before answering

Qwen 3 1.7B on iPhone

  • Balanced
  • Tools
  • Reasoning

Qwen 3 1.7B is an open model from Alibaba that runs on your iPhone through MLX. It is a compact reasoning model that thinks before it answers, with tool support, in under 1 GB. After the 982 MB download it works without an internet connection.

How to install it

Free download · iPhone, iOS 26.0 or later

Specifications

Company
Alibaba
Parameters
1.7B
Download size
982 MB
Minimum RAM
1.2 GB
Category
Balanced
Tools
Tools
Reasoning
Yes, shows its thinking
License
Apache 2.0
Format
4-bit quantized, MLX

Numbers come straight from the model catalogue inside the app. Qwen 3 1.7B and its licence belong to Alibaba.

About Qwen 3 1.7B

What is Qwen 3 1.7B?

Qwen 3 1.7B is a 4-bit quantized MLX build of Alibaba’s model, packaged to run directly on Apple silicon instead of a remote server.

Qwen 3 1.7B is a reasoning model. It thinks before it answers, and Priobs shows that thinking in its own section above the reply, so you can follow how it got there.

What it is good at on iPhone

  • Step-by-step questions
  • Everyday multilingual chat
  • Tool use on smaller iPhones

Qwen 3 1.7B supports Priobs tools, so it can check your calendar, add reminders or read Health data when you turn those tools on.

Trade-off: thinking first means answers take a little longer than with a direct-answer model.

Device fit

Qwen 3 1.7B needs at least 1.2 GB of memory. Priobs checks your iPhone, hides models it does not have the memory for, and warns you if a model is close to the limit and may be unstable.

Setup

How to get it in Priobs.

One download over Wi-Fi and you are offline-ready for good.

  1. Open Priobs and go to the Model Library.

  2. Find Qwen 3 1.7B and tap Download (982 MB).

  3. Select it as your active model. Chats now work offline.

FAQ

Qwen 3 1.7B, answered.

General Priobs questions

Does Qwen 3 1.7B work without internet?

Yes. Once downloaded, Qwen 3 1.7B answers on your iPhone and works in airplane mode. Optional features like web search need a connection when you turn them on.

How much memory does Qwen 3 1.7B need?

At least 1.2 GB. Priobs hides models your iPhone does not have the memory for and warns you about ones that may be unstable.

Does Qwen 3 1.7B support tools?

Yes. Qwen 3 1.7B can use Priobs tools like calendar, reminders and Health. Each tool stays off until you turn it on.

Does Qwen 3 1.7B send prompts to Alibaba?

No. Qwen 3 1.7B generates every answer on your iPhone. Your prompts never go to Alibaba or to us. Something leaves your phone only if you turn on an optional connected feature like web search, and Priobs asks first.

Other models

You can keep several installed at once.

Switching models takes one tap. A common setup: a small, fast model for quick questions and a bigger one for anything that needs more depth.

Compare every modelBest local LLMs for iPhone in 2026How to run an LLM on iPhone

Run Qwen 3 1.7B on your own iPhone.

Priobs is free to download with a free trial. Pick a model, and every answer is generated on your iPhone.

Free download · iPhone, iOS 26.0 or later · Cancel any time in App Store settings