AppleInsider Staff
The news that Apple will hold its first-ever iPhone media event in China has generated expectations that the company has something big up its sleeve, such as a sooner-than-expected launch of new models in that country, or perhaps a deal with China Mobile, the world's largest carrier.
Apple Chief Executive Tim Cook has repeatedly identified China as a crucial market that will play a key role in his company's future growth. But competitors such as Samsung and Lenovo have had more success in China recently.
For that reason, it's been speculated that the Chinese market is one of the key reasons Apple is planning to release a new, more affordable iPhone model with a plastic back. And this week, Apple sent out invitations to members of the press for a media event on Sept. 11, a day after Apple is set to debut its new iPhones in the U.S.
While that event is expected to simply be a rebroadcast of the company's keynote presentation, the fact that Apple is holding a media event in China for the first time has fueled speculation that the company may be planning something big for that market.
Two theories shared by The Wall Street Journal include a day-and-date launch of new iPhone models matching their debut in the U.S. and other large markets, as well as the possibility of an agreement with mega-carrier China Mobile. The latter has been an obstacle for Apple for some time, as China Mobile is the world's largest carrier with more than 700 million active subscribers.
Cook himself is said to have traveled to visit with the head of China Mobile on a number of occasions in an effort to forge a deal. But sticking points have remained, including the fact that the carrier would like to receive a cut of software sold on the iOS App Store.
Some have suggested that Apple may even be willing to make concessions in order to make the iPhone available on China Mobile. In particular, China Mobile is interested in keeping the devices it offers affordable, as it serves hundreds of millions of poor rural subscribers, according to Bloomberg.
As for the launch date, Apple is expected to make its new iPhones available on Friday, Sept. 20, based on past release schedules. One rumor from last month claimed that government regulation could hold up the launch of new iPhones in China until late November, but now market watchers are hopeful that Apple could make those devices available in China much sooner.
Charles Martin
Malcolm Owen
Andrew O'Hara
William Gallagher
15 Comments
[QUOTE]But sticking points have remained, including the fact that the carrier would like to receive a cut of software sold on the iOS App Store[/QUOTE] What chutzpah! I say f...k um! But of course Apple won't, especially with Tim Cook at the reigns.
With decreasing subsidies in Western markets, making a cut from app sales would be a dangerous precedence... even with 700 mio customers at stake. This could be the tipping point for Apple and end of their reign if they would give in.
I hope this wouldn't mean a longer wait to get my new phone down in the Southern Hemisphere if they prioritise China... They're usually pretty good with making sure there's at least some stock for the keen ones in the secondary launch countries, but after three years since I got my ip4 (RIP) and now borrowing a 3GS w a cracked screen I'm not feeling very patient...
http://www.techinasia.com/breaking-china-telecom-reveals-iphone-5s-5c-real-coming-china/ Hmm..I can't imagine Apple releasing iPhone in China before the rest of the world. Perhaps it will be a launch day country (which would be huge). But China before everyone else, no way.
I can't imagine they'd allow a cut of app sales. Every carrier would then want it.