Apple doubles down on China R&D amid iPhone sales slowdown
TL;DR:
- Apple is expanding its research and development operations in China
- A new Shenzhen lab will focus on testing and research for key products, including iPhone, iPad, and Vision Pro headset
- This expansion follows a significant drop in iPhone sales in mainland China
Additionally, the tech giant plans to open a new lab in Shenzhen by the latter half of 2024. This new facility will be dedicated to testing and research, focusing on key products such as the iPhone, iPad, and Vision Pro headset.
The company underscored that the upcoming facility in Shenzhen will enhance its collaboration with local suppliers and provide support for local employees. Apple's vice president and managing director of Greater China, Isabel Ge Mahe, expressed pride in fostering stronger connections in China and expanding the company's footprint there. She remarked:
We have already invested 1 billion yuan (US$139.2 million) into [the existing] applied research lab in China.
These recent moves come on the heels of a commitment by Apple to ramp up capital spending in Greater China, the company's third-largest market globally, following the Americas and Europe.
Recently, the Cupertino tech giant took action in response to sluggish sales and intensified competition from Huawei by offering discounts on the iPhone 15 line in China.
FCC OKs Cingular\'s purchase of AT&T Wireless
Things that are NOT allowed: