On March 12th, Apple announced on its official website that it plans to expand its applied research laboratory in China to support product manufacturing.
It is understood that Apple will enhance the capabilities of the Shanghai Research Center to provide support for the reliability, quality, and material analysis of all product lines.
Previously, Apple had research and development centers in Beijing, Shanghai, Suzhou, and Shenzhen. In the past five years, Apple's research and development team in China has doubled in size.
It is worth noting that Apple mentioned that later this year, it will open a new application research laboratory in Shenzhen to provide support to regional employees and deepen cooperation with local suppliers. This new laboratory will enhance testing and research capabilities for products such as iPhone, iPad, and Apple Vision Pro.
Apple Vice President and Managing Director of Greater China, Ge Yue, stated that Apple's newly built laboratory in China is a "world-class facility" that will support Apple in providing users with "world-class products.".
Previously, Apple had invested over 1 billion yuan in its application research laboratory, and this investment will continue to grow with the addition of new facilities in Shenzhen.
This laboratory provides resources to engineering and design teams worldwide, helping them test prototypes, make improvements, and ensure that devices meet Apple's quality and performance standards.
Apple claims that the laboratory is adjacent to the production and assembly base, and engineers can collaborate with suppliers to achieve real-time adjustments, help suppliers improve efficiency, and save valuable time.
In addition, the application research laboratory simulates and tests Apple phones under various extreme conditions, and improves the performance of Apple products,
For example, the introduction of titanium metal in the iPhone 15 Pro, the introduction of new technologies such as Face ID, and the launch of new products such as the Apple Vision Pro. And the laboratory has expanded the range of recyclable materials, including aluminum, tin, tungsten, and cobalt.
Public data shows that over 95% of Apple's products are still assembled in China, driving the development of China's supply chain. The "fruit chain" enterprises around Shenzhen, including Lixun Precision, Industrial Fulian, Bern Optics and other companies, are gradually growing and expanding with the development of Apple.
According to JPMorgan Chase's forecast, by 2025, the share of Chinese supply chain companies in Apple's iPhone manufacturing will significantly increase, rising from approximately 7% in 2022 to 24%.
However, while Apple announced an increase in investment in China, its smartphone sales are facing a decline. According to Counterpoint data, iPhone shipments in China decreased by 2.1% in the fourth quarter of 2023; In the first six weeks of 2024, iPhone sales in China plummeted by 24% year-on-year, while its main competitor in the high-end smartphone market, Huawei, achieved a counter trend growth in sales.