Apple Producing AirPods 3 in China Instead of Vietnam Due to Pandemic Disruption

[macintoshmac]

Frankly, I do not care where Apple devices are made because I know wherever they will make them, they will make them to some standards, otherwise not.

That said, manufacturing is an area where China is coming to hold the world by the balls and anything that can be done to stop it, is worthy of thought and action.

 

[rpt777]

Have lived in Vietnam recently.

If companies think they can simply move away from China, they're in for a surprise. By this point, it's not just the cheap labor that China can provide. It's also the infrastructure, supply chains, and manufacturing talent that only China can provide as a full package.

In addition, even if the actual manufacturing takes place in Vietnam, many companies are still just contracting with Chinese companies who then go to Vietnam to put the products together. China also provides much of the raw materials for Vietnam. Vietnam is quickly just becoming China's China.

Yes, I agree that is what makes China more competitive.

but as More companies find a manufacturing home in some SE Asia country the infrastructure and support industries will follow.
remember 25 years ago there was no infrastructure in China either.
another factor is that the Chinese people have a very strong work ethic which is less in some other countries.

 

[macintoshmac]

What an odd statement.

My statement pales against the oddity that’s Safari in iOS 15 beta 6. 😊

 

[Manzanito]

Just made a statement. Didn’t intend for the change to defeat anything.

I wouldn’t give it too much thought, it was a little weird to read that’s all. We’re in a discussion forum after all. Cheers!

 

[DanTSX]

Thank you for adding this to the conversation.

I am a man of many talents.

 

[brucewayne]

Have lived in Vietnam recently.

If companies think they can simply move away from China, they're in for a surprise. By this point, it's not just the cheap labor that China can provide. It's also the infrastructure, supply chains, and manufacturing talent that only China can provide as a full package.

In addition, even if the actual manufacturing takes place in Vietnam, many companies are still just contracting with Chinese companies who then go to Vietnam to put the products together. China also provides much of the raw materials for Vietnam. Vietnam is quickly just becoming China's China.

You are right, but it isn't because China has some magical manufacturing talent, it is because the rest of the world has imposed environmental and ethical regulations on themselves while giving China carte blanche to do whatever the hell they want.

In 2020, China (a charter member of the Paris Accord) was responsible for 85% of the new coal plants built in the world. They built so many that they more than offset every coal plant in the world that was shut down in 2020.

That cheap abundant energy, combined with wanton mining of raw materials and an eager workforce desperate to make a better life for themselves and their families is why we can't compete.

 

[0924487]

Sri Lanka and Botswana await! Cheap labor is a human right!🥸

That's pure exploitation and economic imperialism. That's against everything we, as a country, stand for.

Collaboration should be based on mutual prosperity for all people.

 

[MrPresident]

I kind of think that's to be expected, given our current battery technology (and the size of the batteries inside AirPods).

Four years seems a pretty good lifespan. The important thing is that when this happens, the product goes back to Apple for effective recycling.

I didn’t expect them to last forever but still slightly depressing. After three years they lasted 40 minutes and quickly became unusable. By the fourth year one had completely died. I did expect them to last longer for the high price.

Ideally Apple would offer a discount on a new pair if they were recycled through Apple. It really is the least they could do given that they are ‘throwaway’ electronics and Apple have indicated they want to cut down e-waste. Even 10% off would be impressive.

 

[cmaier]

That's pure exploitation and economic imperialism. That's against everything we, as a country, stand for.

Collaboration should be based on mutual prosperity for all people.

why?

 

[tridley68]

What happens when you get bored with Vietnam? Just discard them like we discarded Japan, and then China?

Sounds like a good plan

 

[Dark_Omen]

Made in the USA or Canada would be much more interesting news story.

That's not the corporate way anymore. They manufacture everything overseas so there are no high-paying manufacturing jobs in the U.S. Then they take the existing labor and contract it out unless you're an executive or a small portion of low-level employees.

The contract companies cut out the benefits and underpay the employees for their skill level, and then provide the ability for the company paying for the contract to fire people without HR intervention, even though they're already understaffed because they don't provide skilled employees what they're worth in terms of benefits and wages.

 

[Jetscreamer]

Have lived in Vietnam recently.

If companies think they can simply move away from China, they're in for a surprise. By this point, it's not just the cheap labor that China can provide. It's also the infrastructure, supply chains, and manufacturing talent that only China can provide as a full package.

In addition, even if the actual manufacturing takes place in Vietnam, many companies are still just contracting with Chinese companies who then go to Vietnam to put the products together. China also provides much of the raw materials for Vietnam. Vietnam is quickly just becoming China's China.

But at least Vietnam is now seen as the good communist country by today’s standard, at least until American’s grow tired of the Made in Vietnam labels.

 

[Xtir]

Made in the USA or Canada would be much more interesting news story.

anywhere in the free world I hope you mean..

 

[_Spinn_]

Finding a way to diversify the supply chain is an absolute must. Obviously that is easier said than done.

 

[DanTSX]

That's pure exploitation and economic imperialism. That's against everything we, as a country, stand for.

Collaboration should be based on mutual prosperity for all people.

Correct! That is my point exactly.

 

[DanTSX]

You are right, but it isn't because China has some magical manufacturing talent, it is because the rest of the world has imposed environmental and ethical regulations on themselves while giving China carte blanche to do whatever the hell they want.

In 2020, China (a charter member of the Paris Accord) was responsible for 85% of the new coal plants built in the world. They built so many that they more than offset every coal plant in the world that was shut down in 2020.

That cheap abundant energy, combined with wanton mining of raw materials and an eager workforce desperate to make a better life for themselves and their families is why we can't compete.

Buying from China means outsourced pollution.

If only we had a leader that had the set of stones to face down China……

 

[itti]

Tbh, nobody thinks about Germany? They are the best. Maybe Apple can move some flagship products to Germany like Mac Pro.

 

[hn333]

Really hoping they manage to fix the battery degradation issues with this version. My last pair only lasted four years until they didn’t hold a charge.

4 years is pretty good. That little battery can't last forever.

 

[madrigal77]

Too bad. I'd like to see all production taken out of China. The Olympics should be moved too. The CCP is disgusting.

 

[cmaier]

What happens when you get bored with Vietnam? Just discard them like we discarded Japan, and then China?

We discarded Japan? Last time I visited, I didn’t have to fly to a garbage dump.

 

[senttoschool]

It would be nice to see the AP or APP be made in the USA. Given the price they charge, I would think it may be feasible now that China is not so cheap any longer, and logistics costs are significantly higher than previously.

Sorry, this is just not feasible for Apple.

Americans are spoiled, second to only Europeans. You can’t even ask them to put stuff in boxes in Amazon fulfillment centers without them complaining endlessly, suing, forming unions, throwing tantrums, etc. Try asking them to perform delicate tasks in one spot for 8 hours a day for little money. And have to live in facilities away from families and friends. And hire mostly women since men are known to be worse at these jobs. Impossible in the US.

Far better jobs are having a hard time finding American workers right now. You think millions of people are going to live and work in factories? Dream on.

Then you’ll have environmentalists hounding on you, trying to outlaw you.

Oh, and you’ll still have to buy materials from China.

Apple would get completely f’ed if they have to manufacture in the US but Samsung, Xiaomi can do it in China.

 

[0924487]

I didn’t expect them to last forever but still slightly depressing. After three years they lasted 40 minutes and quickly became unusable. By the fourth year one had completely died. I did expect them to last longer for the high price.

Ideally Apple would offer a discount on a new pair if they were recycled through Apple. It really is the least they could do given that they are ‘throwaway’ electronics and Apple have indicated they want to cut down e-waste. Even 10% off would be impressive.

They do have battery services for them that’s about 10% off new.

 

[pray2crom]

how about made in USA for a change?

 

[DanTSX]

Sorry, this is just not feasible for Apple.

Americans are spoiled, second to only Europeans. You can’t even ask them to put stuff in boxes in Amazon fulfillment centers without them complaining endlessly, suing, forming unions, throwing tantrums, etc. Try asking them to perform delicate tasks in one spot for 8 hours a day for little money. And have to live in facilities away from families and friends. And hire mostly women since men are known to be worse at these jobs. Impossible in the US.

Far better jobs are having a hard time finding American workers right now. You think millions of people are going to live and work in factories? Dream on.

Then you’ll have environmentalists hounding on you, trying to outlaw you.

Oh, and you’ll still have to buy materials from China.

Apple would get completely f’ed if they have to manufacture in the US but Samsung, Xiaomi can do it in China.

Pay more...

Build equity...

 

[SurferPup]

Anyone suspect Chinese 🇨🇳 Government 'accidentally' dropped one or more COVID filled vials in key manufacturing zones within Vietnam 🇨🇳?