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Apple CEO Tim Cook Visits China Amid iPhone 15 Market Challenges and App Store Controversy
Apple CEO Tim Cook recently made his second visit to China in 2023, as the company faces tough competition in the iPhone 15 market and ongoing controversies surrounding the App Store.
During his visit to an Apple Store in Chengdu, Cook praised the work of Chinese developers on apps for Apple's new Vision Pro mixed-reality headset. The visit comes at a crucial time for Apple, as the iPhone 15 series faces stiff competition from Huawei's new 5G handsets.
Counterpoint Research reported a decline in sales for the iPhone 15 series compared to the previous year, attributed to a broader decline in consumer spending in China. Additionally, Huawei's new Mate 60 Pro and Mate 60 Pro+ 5G handsets have gained popularity, adding to the competition in the premium smartphone market.
Apple's visit to China also coincides with ongoing controversies surrounding the App Store. The company recently had to strengthen its app developer policy to comply with Chinese regulations, which require government approval for apps to be available on the Chinese App Store.
This move is expected to reduce the number of apps on Apple's local iOS platform. Apple's compliance with Chinese app rules follows reports that some government workers were instructed to stop using iPhones due to national security concerns. The global smartphone market has also experienced a decline in sales, with the lowest third-quarter sales in a decade.
Apple CEO Tim Cook made his second visit to China in 2023, emphasizing the country's importance as a manufacturing hub and major market.
The iPhone 15 series faces tough competition from Huawei's new 5G handsets in the Chinese market.
Cook praised the work of Chinese developers on apps for Apple's Vision Pro mixed-reality headset during his visit to an Apple Store in Chengdu.
Source: SCMP