Apple launches online store on China's giant WeChat messaging app

Apple connected Tuesday launched an online store connected Tencent's WeChat messaging app successful China, arsenic the iPhone elephantine steps up the enlargement of its retail channels successful 1 of its astir important markets.

WeChat is China's biggest messaging platform with implicit 1.2 cardinal users. It is often referred to arsenic a "super app," due to the fact that it goes beyond conscionable instant messaging. Users tin entree alleged "Mini Programs," which are efficaciously apps wrong WeChat. That means users don't request to download loads of antithetic apps, but tin alternatively entree each the services they request from wrong WeChat.

Apple's WeChat store is successful the signifier of a Mini Program.

Users tin acquisition the afloat enactment of Apple products including the latest iPhone 14 scope done the Mini Program, Tencent said successful a statement. Orders via WeChat are eligible for escaped shipping, and immoderate users tin wage for three-hour delivery.

Tencent said that customers tin besides entree immoderate different Apple services, similar the trade-in program.

Apple and Tencent did not instantly respond to a CNBC petition for comment.

Apple tightly controls its retail channels, but has been ramping up its beingness connected China's biggest net platforms implicit the past fewer years. Apple has an authoritative store connected Tmall, the e-commerce tract operated by Alibaba. Meanwhile, JD.com, China's second-largest online retailer, is an authoritative reseller of Apple products.

IPhone income person remained rather resilient successful China successful spite of a pugnacious marketplace overall. Smartphone income fell 5% year-on-year successful the archetypal 4th of 2023, reaching the lowest first-quarter income fig since 2014, according to Counterpoint Research. Apple's iPhone income grew 6% year-on-year, Counterpoint said.

Still Apple is looking to scope much customers. WeChat is ubiquitous successful Chinese nine with radical utilizing it for everything from messaging to booking flights and paying bills.