Apple increases R&D in China with two lab expansions

Shanghai [Pexels/Wolfram K]

Apple's research and development spending is huge, having forked out approximately $7.7 billion in Q1 2024 alone. In a continued expansion of its R&D efforts, it is making two moves to its operations in China.

One will be the expansion of an existing applied research lab in Shanghai, which is used to improve the materials and construction of Apple's products and components, reports China Daily.

The other will be an all-new lab located in Shenzhen, which will be opening later in 2024. Also an applied research lab, it is said that the facility will help support employees in the region as well as increase the collaboration with local suppliers.

The Shenzhen lab addition is anticipated to help improve Apple's testing capabilities for major products, including the iPhone, iPad, and Apple Vision Pro.

"We have already invested 1 billion yuan ($139.4 million) into applied research labs in China," said Apple Greater China VP and managing director Isabel Ge Mahe. "And with the new expansion plan, our investment will continue growing."

Ge Mahe said that the number of Apple R&D staff in China has doubled in the last five years.

The research lab announcement occurs during a time when Apple is enduring difficulties in the Chinese smartphone, due to the rise of local vendors such as Huawei in the region.

Apple is also preparing to open its eighth Shanghai Apple Store, with the Apple Jing'an location arriving soon.