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Identified only by the model number A1387, the new iPhone, discovered by The Wall Street Journal, is compatible with CDMA-2000, the 3G network that China Telecom utilizes. The new iPhone 4S, set to debut in China on Friday, is not compatible with China Telecom's 3G network, despite the fact that the iPhone 4S is a "world phone."
The newly approved device is an indication that Apple plans to build a unique version of the iPhone to run on China Telecom's network. The company used a similar approach last year, when it built a special CDMA variant of the iPhone 4 to sell on the Verizon network in the U.S.
It's unknown whether the phone approved is a modified iPhone 4S, an iPhone 4, or even an iPhone 3GS. Apple continues to sell all three models at different price points around the world, but the iPhone 3GS is only compatible with GSM networks.
And because Apple and China Telecom haven't yet announced a deal to bring the iPhone to the carrier, the timetable for a launch is unknown. The A1387 handset has been approved by China's Radio Management agency, but other certifications, including a network license, are necessary before the handset can go on sale.
For now, the iPhone remains exclusive to China Unicom, which plans to offer heavy subsidies on the iPhone 4S when it goes on sale this Friday. Customers will be able to get the handset for free if they sign a multi-year service contract.
For Apple, the big prize remains China Mobile, which is the single largest wireless carrier in the world. The two companies are said to have been in talks for years, but the iPhone remains incompatible with the carrier's homegrown 3G network.
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Andrew Orr
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Wesley Hilliard
AppleInsider Staff
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7 Comments
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht3893
It's interesting to note that Apple previously produced custom China versions of both the iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS although the major difference was simply WiFi being disabled.
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht3893
It's interesting to note that Apple previously produced custom China versions of both the iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS although the major difference was simply WiFi being disabled.
WiFI being disabled was only in the first 2 generations of iPhones in China. WiFi was later added, but in a custom format exclusive to China requiring a different radio chip - it is China's homegrown version which is mandated by the Chinese government. Therefore ALL iPhones sold in China (with the exception of gray market phones) are in fact "custom" phones. Further, there are specific OS / software customizations like no integration with YouTube out of the box, Google maps are mostly in Chinese (versus a US version of the phone shows chinese maps in english), etc.
But do you think it will sell?
You guys saw the new iPhone Q4 US market shares, massive turn-around: Apple jump 26% and Android tank . Almost too good to be truth actually.
The news is not AI yet or did I miss it?
http://tech.fortune.cnn.com/2012/01/...azines_fortune
But do you think it will sell?
I think the fact the amount is going to be spread for 3 years and the sale price is 0 is going to help a lot in this market. I don't see a better way to sell them in china.