Slash LaneAn unnamed senior executive with China Unicom told China Daily that the nation's second-largest carrier has seen great interest in the iPhone from businesses in the nation of over one billion. The company believes that interest will drive the iPhone to a 10 percent share of 3G devices in two to three years.
In addition, China Unicom Chairman Chang Xiaobing publicly said this week that he expects the iPhone to be the best-selling smartphone in all of China.
Officials still have high expectations for Apple's phone, despite the fact taht only 5,000 total subscribers were gained when the iPhone launched in late October. Still, China Unicom is said to be pleased with the success of the device thus far, which coincided with the debut of its 3G network. By the end of October, the carrier was reported to have 1.02 million total 3G subscribers, and officials expect to add another million each month.
Apple hopes to expand its presence in China beyond China Unicom, and is currently in talks with China Mobile, the world's largest wireless carrier. Earlier this year, it was estimated that China Mobile has 475 million subscribers, while China Unicom has 141 million of the nation's 700 million total cell phone users.
One issue for the iPhone in China has been its relatively high price of 6,999 yuan ($1,024) for the high-end iPhone 3GS without a service contract. But the same phone can be bought on China's gray market in Hong Kong for about $800.
Another problem is the Chinese iPhone's lack of Wi-Fi. The feature was left out because the government's regulations temporarily banned Wi-Fi in favor of a rival native system. The ban was not relaxed until May, which was after manufacturing of the new iPhone began. China Unicom officials have said they hope to have a new iPhone equipped with Wi-Fi available by the end of the year.
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14 Comments
Yeah... Thank god, Apple, for you're not officially accused of sales' being so slow.
In related news:
http://www.macdailynews.com/index.ph...id_investment/
this china syndrome as in slow sales in piss poor area's will speed the invention of a mass market
NANO iPHONE
go apple
9
LMFASSOFF The Chinese consumer has already spoken. They don't want a wifi less and outrageously expensive iPhone when they can get a better iPhone, with wifi (thus free voip calls) at a fraction of the price from their local shop who will support them as well.
In fact what might happen is the Chinese government might demand SIM-integrated phones in the future for all new sales, making present iPhones (even used ones) extremely valuable.
I still say Apple should hedge itself and move some manufacturing back to the US from China for US and Euro markets. China is still too flaky and communist, certainly not playing fair economically pinning their yuan to the dollar every chance they get.
And since most Apple gear is made by machine, labor costs is minuscule between the two countries, it would save on shipping and be a good pr move in this tough economic climate.
Don't trust China to float the yuan, and if they do, it will rise and thus making products made in the US cheaper than China! Apple will be ahead of the game by having some of it's products already made locally.
China Unicom is blowing smoke. They don't have the ability to get this level of sales... Wait for China Unicom to carry the iPhone, then we'll see some action.