Tim Hardwick
Apple has opened a new applied research lab in Shenzhen, China, marking a major expansion of its research and development capabilities in the world's largest smartphone market. The facility, which began operations on Thursday, is located in the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Tech Cooperation Zone.
Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Tech Cooperation Zone, China (Photo: Xinhua)
Apple announced plans for the Shenzhen lab in March, saying it would improve testing and research for major products including the iPhone, iPad and the Vision Pro spatial computing headset. The lab is also intended to strengthen Apple's collaboration with local suppliers.
Spanning 20,000 square meters (215,000 square feet) initially, the facility is set to become Apple's research and development hub in the Greater Bay Area, an economic region spanning Hong Kong, Macau and nine cities in Guangdong province.
The lab will eventually employ more than 1,000 domestic and foreign talent, according to state media. Apple has described it as its “most extensive” lab outside the United States, underscoring the company's commitment to the Chinese market.
The move comes as Apple faces growing competition in China, particularly from Shenzhen-based Huawei. Latest data from research firm CINNO showed that Huawei overtook Apple in mainland China sales in August for the first time in nearly four years.
Despite efforts to diversify its manufacturing supply chain outside of China, Apple continues to invest in research at home. The company has previously set up research centers in Beijing, Shanghai, Suzhou and Shenzhen, and its R&D team in China has reportedly doubled in size over the past five years.
(Via South China Morning Post.)
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