Apple Expands Social Media Presence in China With RedNote Account Ahead of iPhone 17 Launch
The US tech giant opens a verified RedNote account, gaining over 200,000 followers within days, as part of efforts to strengthen its brand in China’s competitive smartphone market.
Apple has launched an official account on RedNote, a popular Chinese social platform often described as the country’s equivalent to Instagram, in its latest move to expand brand engagement in mainland China.
The verified account published its first post on Saturday and has since accumulated more than 200,000 followers.
The post, accompanied by an animated Apple logo, invited users to share personal stories with the company, though it did not include product announcements.
RedNote has gained global attention this year, particularly in the United States, where many TikTok users signed up for the platform amid debates over a potential ban on TikTok.
The proposed ban, initially set for January 19, has been postponed three times while negotiations continue between Washington, Beijing, and TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance.
Apple’s move to join RedNote adds to its existing social media footprint in China.
The company opened an official account on Tencent’s WeChat in 2018, followed by Douyin in 2022.
On Weibo, Apple is represented by chief executive Tim Cook’s personal account, launched in 2015 and now followed by 1.8 million users, alongside an Apple Support account offering device and software guidance.
The new presence coincides with Apple’s retail expansion in the country.
Over the weekend, Cook promoted the opening of Apple Uniwalk Qianhai, a store in Shenzhen, marking the third outlet in the city.
The announcement followed the closure of a store in Dalian, the first time Apple has shut down a directly managed outlet in mainland China.
Competition in the Chinese smartphone market remains intense, with government subsidies of up to 15 percent available for devices priced below 6,000 yuan, approximately 834 US dollars.
Apple adjusted its pricing strategy in May, cutting prices by up to one-third on major e-commerce platforms, bringing models such as the iPhone 16 Pro within the subsidy range.
According to company earnings, revenue from mainland China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan grew by nearly 4.4 percent year-on-year in the three months ending June 28, supported in part by consumer subsidies.
Industry analysts have noted challenges in sustaining iPhone demand later this year, citing weaker consumer spending and a slower upgrade cycle.
Reports from mainland media last week also indicated that Apple has been testing Douyin Pay, a ByteDance mobile payment service, within its China App Store as it continues to tailor its offerings for Chinese consumers.
The verified account published its first post on Saturday and has since accumulated more than 200,000 followers.
The post, accompanied by an animated Apple logo, invited users to share personal stories with the company, though it did not include product announcements.
RedNote has gained global attention this year, particularly in the United States, where many TikTok users signed up for the platform amid debates over a potential ban on TikTok.
The proposed ban, initially set for January 19, has been postponed three times while negotiations continue between Washington, Beijing, and TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance.
Apple’s move to join RedNote adds to its existing social media footprint in China.
The company opened an official account on Tencent’s WeChat in 2018, followed by Douyin in 2022.
On Weibo, Apple is represented by chief executive Tim Cook’s personal account, launched in 2015 and now followed by 1.8 million users, alongside an Apple Support account offering device and software guidance.
The new presence coincides with Apple’s retail expansion in the country.
Over the weekend, Cook promoted the opening of Apple Uniwalk Qianhai, a store in Shenzhen, marking the third outlet in the city.
The announcement followed the closure of a store in Dalian, the first time Apple has shut down a directly managed outlet in mainland China.
Competition in the Chinese smartphone market remains intense, with government subsidies of up to 15 percent available for devices priced below 6,000 yuan, approximately 834 US dollars.
Apple adjusted its pricing strategy in May, cutting prices by up to one-third on major e-commerce platforms, bringing models such as the iPhone 16 Pro within the subsidy range.
According to company earnings, revenue from mainland China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan grew by nearly 4.4 percent year-on-year in the three months ending June 28, supported in part by consumer subsidies.
Industry analysts have noted challenges in sustaining iPhone demand later this year, citing weaker consumer spending and a slower upgrade cycle.
Reports from mainland media last week also indicated that Apple has been testing Douyin Pay, a ByteDance mobile payment service, within its China App Store as it continues to tailor its offerings for Chinese consumers.
