Apple's largest research lab outside the US opens in China
by William Gallagher · AppleInsiderApple has opened a new testing and development lab for the iPhone and Apple Vision Pro in Shenzhen, China, with plans for 1,000 staff.
As first revealed when under construction in July 2024, the new research center is part of the company's expanding R&D efforts in China. According to the South China Morning Post, the new lab opened on Thursday, October 10, 2024.
Situated in Shenzhen Park in Hetao, around seven miles from the Apple Holiday Plaza Shenzhen store, the lab currently spans 215,000 square feet. Expected to expand later, the lab is part of the region's Greater Bay Area economic development hub.
Said to be for testing and research concerning the company's major products, specifically the iPhone, iPad, and Apple Vision Pro. It's not clear how many staff are now working at the lab, but reportedly the intention is to ultimately employ over 1,000 people.
Shenzhen has long been the site of Apple's major manufacturing partners in China. Apple has also been conducting research and development in the city since around 2017.
The new research lab comes as Apple has been increasingly moving its production away from China, to new facilities in countries such as India and Vietnam.
However, most recently, a fire at a key factory in India may force Apple to move back a proportion of its iPhone manufacturing to China.
1 Comment
Pema 119 comments · 2 Years 🧟
About 3 hours ago
Great. If the paranoid Western press are to be trusted every China anything is tied into the Chinese government: Temu, Shein, Ali Baba all the EV car manufacturers. All the products that are Chinese in origin, not built in China, are a conduit for the Chinese government. So, say you buy a Chinese EV. The car very likely has a bug planted behind the dash that transmits everything you say and do directly to the Chinese Politburo.
But now I read this. Apple is building the 2nd largest research lab in China. So has Apple become a Chinese stooge? I mean that's how a syllogism works.
Share Your Thoughts on our Forums ->