
Dual SIM slots and gold iPhones: Five ways Apple is embracing China
How Apple cracked China by following local tastes (and demands)
The world’s largest smartphone market has long been key to the world’s most valuable company. Since Apple opened a store in Beijing in 2008, the company has added 40 more outlets across China -- more than any other country except the United States.
Here are some of the moves that Apple has made to woo China.
Dual SIM?
Having two SIM cards on one phone allows users to jump between two carriers, taking advantage of different cellular plans. It’s also popular with frequent business travelers wanting to avoid hefty roaming fees abroad.
Gold iPhones

“To be clear, sales for the gold iPhones in China have far, far exceeded other markets,” he told Bloomberg Businessweek.
Hey Siri, bring up Alipay
Apple has its own mobile payment service. But in China, it’s choosing to join forces with local giant Alipay. Customers can pay with the app in Apple Stores. iPhone users can even tell Siri to open the Alipay payment screen directly.
(Abacus is a unit of the South China Morning Post, which is owned by Alibaba -- a partner of Alipay owner Ant Financial.)
Apple Pay has been struggling to gain ground in China, where more than 90% of consumers paying with their smartphones use either Alipay or Tencent’s WeChat Pay -- according to the China Internet Report 2018.
Dedicated China Boss
Giving in to the Government
Earlier this year, Apple triggered concerns yet again when it transferred Chinese iCloud data to a state-run company. Apple said it needs to abide by China’s cybersecurity law, but critics fear local courts could force Apple into divulging customer data.
Apple removes 25,000 illegal apps from China App Store after state media criticism
For more insights into China tech, sign up for our tech newsletters, subscribe to our Inside China Tech podcast, and download the comprehensive 2019 China Internet Report. Also roam China Tech City, an award-winning interactive digital map at our sister site Abacus.
