Apple has officially opened a new application research lab in southern China’s technology hub Shenzhen, marking its expansion in the world’s largest smartphone market. The facility began operations on Thursday and is located within Shenzhen Park in Hetao, a cooperative district, the South China Morning Post reported.
The new lab will initially measure 20,000 square meters (215,000 square feet) and will be Apple’s research and development hub in the Greater Bay Area, a ring of nine cities in Hong Kong, Macau and Guangdong province.
Apple announced plans for the facility in March, saying it would strengthen the company’s testing and research capabilities for key products such as the iPhone, iPad and Vision Pro mixed reality headset. Additionally, the institute will also be able to strengthen Apple’s collaboration with local suppliers.
The move comes as Apple faces increasing competition in the Chinese market from domestic companies such as Huawei Technologies Co. T
The Shenzhen laboratory will employ more than 1,000 people from home and abroad. The lab will be Apple’s “largest” lab outside the United States, state media reports said.
