Visiting the JD Electrical Super Experience Store in Hefei
I heard that JD’s second global electrical super experience store recently opened, and it’s in Hefei. I checked the map and found it’s not far—five subway stops away, or about a ten-minute bike ride.
After getting off the subway, I could see a giant “JoyDog” (JD’s mascot, a dog nicknamed “JoyDog”) “climbing” on the glass curtain wall of the store from a distance. Since it’s still in the trial operation phase, there were visible signs of ongoing construction at the entrance. However, the interior of the experience store is mostly ready for use.
The superstore has six floors: five above ground and one underground. The five floors above ground are operated by JD, while the underground floor is a Hualian supermarket run by Baida, probably for visitors who get tired and want to grab some food or drinks.
Upon entering the lobby, the first thing that caught my eye was the large JD Apple Authorized Store and other phone brand authorized stores. It seems the first floor is all about phone-related exhibits. The Apple store was the most crowded, with a bunch of customers gathered around the counters displaying Apple devices. I took a look at the recently released colorful iMac with the M1 chip. Honestly, the screen bezels on this iMac are too wide for my taste, and it’s probably not the computer I’m looking for. Also, I really can’t stand Apple’s Magic Mouse—this flat mouse is just so impractical! Apple’s trackpad completely outshines the mouse!
Besides Apple, Xiaomi’s booth was also packed with people. That said, the camera module on Xiaomi’s new 11 Ultra is way too protruding. Isn’t it risky to put this in your pocket with keys or other items that could scratch it? And with a phone case, this thing must weigh half a pound! Truly a “Half-Pound Mi”!
Xiaomi’s Mix Fold looks suspiciously like the first-generation Samsung Galaxy Fold. I strongly suspect Xiaomi bought Samsung’s solution. And the aspect ratio of the outer screen is hard to accept—it feels like some supreme memorial edition of a Mi AI phone…
Huawei’s booth was, as usual, straightforward and simple in style.
Apart from phones, the first floor also had a small section displaying cameras, music players, drones, and other products. But isn’t Sony’s booth a bit too small? (It seems there’s also a Sony TV booth on the fifth floor, not sure if they’re related.)
This visit mainly focused on the first floor, and I only briefly explored the other floors. The second floor is mostly authorized stores and booths for computer brands; the third floor is dominated by small smart home devices and massage chairs; the fourth floor is the realm of water heaters, air conditioners, and refrigerators; and the fifth floor is where various TV brands compete, though Sony, Samsung, and LG are undeniably dominant. Domestic display panels still have a long way to go.
PS: Location of Hefei JD Electrical Super Experience Store => Intersection of Qianshan Road and Wangjiang Road, Ganghui Plaza (get off at Honggang Station on Metro Line 3)