Did you hear about Apple’s latest buzz in China? It’s all over Weibo and honestly, it’s pretty wild. Just this Saturday, Apple landed in hot water—or should we say, hot search—on Weibo. The big talk? Whether iPhone 16 will support WeChat or not. With a whopping 290 million views on the topic, it’s clear this isn’t just tech news—it’s a major convo across the board.
What’s the fuss about?
So, the whole drama started with a rumor that Apple might stop updating WeChat on its App Store. Why? Well, it’s about money—specifically, the 30% cut Apple takes from in-app transactions, affectionately dubbed the “Apple tax.” Apple’s been pushing big names like Tencent and ByteDance to ditch those mini-games in their apps that send users off-platform to make payments, dodging this tax.
And now, the latest whispers suggest that WeChat won’t work on the new iPhone 16. Imagine upgrading to iOS 18.2 only to find out your go-to app for just about everything isn’t supported. It’s no surprise that this stirred up more than just a casual chat on Weibo.
User Reactions
Netizens aren’t just watching from the sidelines. Nope, they’re pretty vocal about it. There’s a ton of chatter about what it’d mean if Apple really kicks WeChat off the iPhone. Some are really ticked off, ready to switch phones if it comes to that. After all, WeChat isn’t just an app here; it’s a lifeline for daily life in China. But others? They’re taking a wait-and-see approach, betting that Apple and Tencent won’t let their partnership fizzle out over this.
The Official Word
Despite the frenzy, both Apple and Tencent were quick to address the rumors. On the same day, Apple clarified that the future of WeChat on their devices hinges on how their talks with Tencent pan out. Tencent, for their part, denied they’re turning mini-games into a money-making scheme with in-app transactions. They’re still mulling it over internally.
It’s a tricky situation. On one hand, Apple’s got rules and a business model to maintain. On the other, WeChat’s role in China is too big to ignore. It’s going to be interesting to see how they balance the books and user expectations.
So, what do you think? Will Apple make room for Tencent’s needs, or is this the start of a bigger shift in how international tech plays out in China? Drop your thoughts below and let’s keep this conversation going!
