Apple’s iPhone brand might have taken a hit in China because of increased trade tensions but its AirPods – the company’s second best-selling product of all time – are still a big hit, so much so that local factories are rushing to knock-off the latest versions that go on sale Oct 30 in the US for US$249 (RM1,041).

“We will have earphones identical to Apple’s AirPods Pro available for sale very soon, possibly within the next two or three days,” a salesman surnamed Fu, who sells electronics in Shenzhen’s Huaqiangbei wholesale district and online via Tencent Holdings’ WeChat Moments platform, said on Tuesday morning, a few hours after Apple announced the high-end product.