Apple and China Mobile have finally signed on the dotted line, after six years of talks. Apple announced on Sunday a multi-year deal with China Mobile--the world’s largest carrier. The deal will bring Apple’s latest iPhone 5s and 5c to mainland stores on the 17th of January in 2014.
A Christmas present for Apple fans in China.
Apple and China Mobile said the iPhone 5S and 5C will support China Mobile’s newly-launched, speedier 4G network. Buyers can start their pre-registration on Christmas Day, but the pricing details won’t come out until a later date. In spite of Apple’s huge fan base, Chinese consumers have become more picky.
"There’s not such a big difference up to the iPhone 5S as there was from iPhone 3 to iPhone 4. I don’t see any changes in its appearance, they all look the same," said Yan Yuyang, Beijing resident.
"I don’t like iPhone’s system. I prefer Android, because I’ve become used to it," said Qu Yanli, Beijing resident.
But analysts say the Apple-China Mobile deal is more than Apple launching products in more Chinese stores.
"Apple and China Mobile’s deal shows in the 4G era China Mobile’s TD network has gained recognition of major global mobile phone suppliers," said Wang Jun, senior analyst.
Analysts say China’s homegrown TD technology didn’t show its advantages in the 3G era, but the collaboration between Apple and China Mobile will surely spread the technology.
As China Mobile is rolling out the world’s largest 4G network, its 760-million-customer base is a massive attraction to Apple. China Mobile says by the end of 2014 it will cover 340 Chinese cities with 4G service.
Dow Jones cites analyst reports that Apple could sell as many as 39 million iPhones in China next year--almost half of that could be from its tie-up with China Mobile. The deal could also spell upside for Apple shares, which had risen on reports of a China Mobile deal but then fell when it didn’t happen.
Source: Xinhua
