Apple apologizes over China warranties

In a Chinese statement to consumers signed by Cook and posted on Apple China's website, the CEO says quote,

"We are aware that due to insufficient communication, the public holds the idea that Apple is arrogant, disregards or pays little attention to the feedback of consumers. Therefore, we want to express our sincere apology for any concern of misunderstanding arising from the process". (Apple CEO Tim Cook)

Cook says over the past two weeks, Apple received feedback concerning its warranty policies in China and has "reflected" over such opinions.

He also said the company has examined how communicates over warranties and reviewed the management standards of Apple Authorized Service Providers.

Cook's apology comes after the China Consumer's Association asked Apple to "sincerely apologize" to Chinese consumers and "thoroughly correct its problems," after the U.S. firm took little action to address waves of criticism...

Including lower standards in its repair policy in China than in other countries like America, Australia and South Korea - which Apple says, comply with China's consumer laws.

But on March 15th, the International Day for Protecting Consumers' Rights, the country's state TV station criticized Apple for adopting its differentiating repair and return policies in the country.

On the same day, the consumer watchdog said it received more than 2,000 complaints from Apple users in 2012, and that nearly 26 percent of them blamed it's after-sale service.

Many accused Apple of using old parts for repair and exploiting loopholes in its warranty clauses...

Though the global tech giant says nearly 90 percent of consumers are satisfied with its warranty policies.

Despite this, the statement says Apple is changing its after-sales services for Chinese consumers...

Including improving its warranties for iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S, as well as increasing supervision over and training for its service providers.

China is Apple's second-biggest market, and its iPhones and other products - many of them assembled in the country - are highly popular.

Data from iMedia Research Group shows Apple has 7.7 percent of China's smartphone market, behind 22.5 percent held by Samsung, 10.7 percent by Lenovo and the rest by big domestic brands, like Huawei.

And the pie could get bigger, after China's smartphone market overtook the United States' as the world's largest, last year...

But unless Apple can put its promise to Chinese consumers into action, the world's biggest company, could be left behind.