New Apple Lab in China to Test Products Under Extreme Conditions

[MacRumors]

Apple is set to open a new applied research lab in Shenzhen, China, focusing on enhancing the quality and reliability of its flagship products (via Shenzhen Daily).

The new lab in Shenzhen is expected to boost Apple's research capabilities, focusing on reliability and quality testing for key products. The new facility will focus on testing new materials and production techniques, ensuring that products such as the iPhone, iPad, and Apple Vision Pro can withstand extreme conditions, from intense physical activity to harsh temperatures. The lab's readiness comes at a crucial time as Apple ramps up production for its iPhone 16 lineup, which is widely expected to launch in the fall.

The choice of Shenzhen is significant due to its proximity to many of Apple's suppliers. Apple first announced plans for the new lab in March. Despite diversifying its production capacity to other countries like Vietnam and India, China remains a key manufacturing hub for Apple. The new Shenzhen facility is part of a broader expansion, which includes research and development centers in Beijing, Shanghai, and Suzhou. Apple has invested over 1 billion yuan (approximately $138 million) in these facilities.

Bloomberg reports that Apple's Chief Operating Officer, Jeff Williams, recently visited Shenzhen to discuss investment and collaboration plans. He reportedly emphasized the critical role Shenzhen plays in Apple's market strategy. Williams' visit to China also included meetings with senior Chinese officials in Beijing, a visit to an Apple Store in the Wangfujing shopping district, watching a film shot on the iPhone 15 Pro Max, and a meeting with entertainment company Migu, which showcased its app developed for the Apple Vision Pro.

Article Link: New Apple Lab in China to Test Products Under Extreme Conditions

 

[sniffies]

And workers, too.

 

[turbineseaplane]

There's a stock "HAPPY working in the factory!!" photo if I've ever seen one

 

[icanhazmac]

The new facility will focus on testing new materials and production techniques, ensuring that products such as the iPhone, iPad, and Apple Vision Pro can withstand extreme conditions

I kinda thought the assembly line was all the "extreme conditions" testing would require but ok. Foxconn just needs certain employees to hold a few devices on the way down.... /gallowshumor j/k /ghoulishoverkill

 

[TheKDub]

There's a stock "HAPPY working in the factory!!" photo if I've ever seen one

Slightly off topic but there's a great documentary called Manufactured Landscapes following the photographer Edward Burtynsky, where he spends a lot of time filming and photographing massive (multiple football fields long) factories in China (along with other areas like strip mining, electronic recycling, etc.) . https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0832903/.

Really goes to show the inside of these factories in China and what it is like in there!

 

[lkrupp]

Slightly off topic but there's a great documentary called Manufactured Landscapes following the photographer Edward Burtynsky, where he spends a lot of time filming and photographing massive (multiple football fields long) factories in China (along with other areas like strip mining, electronic recycling, etc.) . https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0832903/.

Really goes to show the inside of these factories in China and what it is like in there!

Precisely why this kind of manufacturing will never return to the U.S.

 

[Bogstandard]

Spoiler, hehe. Prototipo iPhone "Space Extreme''

 

[klasma]

The devices will still fail when subjected to the MacRumors forum, the harshest environment of all.

 

[luiguimoterani]

What is that blue thing on the iPhone that the lady is holding up.

 

[Darren.h]

MAKE SURE YOU TEST THAT SUPER THIN IPHONE 17.

BEND THE HELL OUT OF IT.

 

[CharlesShaw]

Spoiler, hehe. Prototipo iPhone "Space Extreme''

iPhone Ultra

 

[antiprotest]

The thing I want most is for my iPhone to be "officially" waterproof like the Watch, so I can wash it under the faucet with soap every day. I know if I accidentally drop it in shallow water it will likely be fine even now, but that's not what I'm talking about. I want it to be waterproof enough that Apple will say I can make a habit of washing it.

 

[npmacuser5]

We in America are good at breaking iPhones. Maybe some of the best in the world. Apple missed an opportunity.

 

[jblank]

What is that blue thing on the iPhone that the lady is holding up.

Could be some sort of theft deterrence device.

 

[contacos]

Lol reading the headline, i thought this was about finding ways to work through a tsunami

 

[jblank]

The thing I want most is for my iPhone to be "officially" waterproof like the Watch, so I can wash it like under the faucet with soap every day. I know if I accidentally drop it in shallow water it will likely be fine even now, but that's not what I'm talking about. I want it to be waterproof enough that Apple will say I can make a habit of washing it.

Funny you say that. I recall seeing a video or a article about how dirty our cellphones are and I thought about just that very thing and how nice it would be if we could rinse and disinfect our phones with soap and water.

 

[JosephAW]

Extreme conditions - just hand them over to teenage kids and if they last more than a day without something breaking they’re ready

 

[coolspot18]

I hope they do drop testing...

 

[klasma]

The thing I want most is for my iPhone to be "officially" waterproof like the Watch, so I can wash it like under the faucet with soap every day. I know if I accidentally drop it in shallow water it will likely be fine even now, but that's not what I'm talking about. I want it to be waterproof enough that Apple will say I can make a habit of washing it.

FWIW, I do that regularly with an iPhone 13.

It would be nice if you could do it with iPads.

 

[klasma]

Extreme conditions - just hand them over to teenage kids and if they last more than a day without something breaking they’re ready

I think they want deterministic tests.

Also child labor.

 

[klasma]

I hope they do drop testing...

I hope they test with more than just a drop of water.

 

[antiprotest]

FWIW, I do that regularly with an iPhone 13.

It would be nice if you could do it with iPads.

You are very brave. I realize it should be possible but I haven't wanted to risk it. I have done that with my Watch and it's just so convenient.

Instead, I wipe the phone with Lysol disinfect wipes every time I come home with the phone. Been doing that since iPhone 3GS with no damage. I hear that some solutions might damage the screen coating, such as those that include ammonia.

 

[jblank]

FWIW, I do that regularly with an iPhone 13.

It would be nice if you could do it with iPads.

If I may ask, have you experienced any issues doing that? Can you describe for me how you wash it? Thanks!

 

[macvicta]

We in America are good at breaking iPhones. Maybe some of the best in the world. Apple missed an opportunity.

It’s just throwing iPhones on the ground and Apple couldn’t even give these jobs to Americans.

 

[klasma]

You are very brave. I realize it should be possible but I haven't wanted to risk it.

The IP68 rating means that it can handle being underwater for 30 minutes at a depth of 6 meters. Rinsing it under a slow-flowing water tap should be fine. You just shouldn’t direct a strong water jet into the openings.

One thing to keep in mind is that you generally can’t use the charging port immediately after water exposure, due to the water detection. But MagSafe can take care of that if you need to charge.