Apple(US:AAPL) 3 6 Ke·2026-01-15 02:30Core Viewpoint - Apple Pay has faced limited acceptance in China since its launch in 2016, primarily due to its reliance on UnionPay and the dominance of QR code payments [2][4]. Group 1: Apple Pay's Current Status in China - Apple Pay has been available in China for nearly ten years but has not gained significant traction compared to Alipay and WeChat Pay [2]. - The service is mainly used for transportation cards, with few scenarios for actual purchases [2][4]. - Users often overlook the ability to use Apple Pay at most locations with POS machines due to the prevalence of QR code payments [4]. Group 2: Changes in Payment Options - Starting January 15, 2026, Apple Pay will support Visa credit cards issued by domestic banks, marking a significant change in its functionality [6]. - The initial list of banks includes eight major institutions, with plans for broader coverage of Visa cards from other banks [6][7]. - Mastercard will also be supported in the coming months, enhancing the usability of Apple Pay for international transactions [6]. Group 3: Implications of New Payment Options - The introduction of Visa and Mastercard support will expand the usability of Apple Pay for international travel and online purchases [13]. - Users will have an additional convenient payment method alongside QR code payments, addressing long-standing issues faced by individual users [13][15]. - The ability to bind Visa cards will streamline online purchases, such as buying products from Hong Kong websites, which previously required manual credit card entry [19].