News - Apple and China Mobile sign distribution deal

[HEXUS]

Apple's partnership with world's largest mobile carrier worth "billions of dollars".

Read more.

[OilSheikh]

Hope Apple fails miserably in China

[crossy]

Hope Apple fails miserably in China

Not likely though is it - someone disparagingly described China as "oriental US" in which case they're due for a dose of "iPhone-itis". And I'm trying to avoid comparing Apple's app policies with those of the PRC.

Then again, aren't there a load of local producers making some pretty decent devices - in which case your iPhone will remain "aspirational", but realistically it'll be the Android etc ones that are actually taking the market.

[Guy]

Hope Apple fails miserably in China

Axe to grind much?

[TooNice]

It's a given that that Apple is not going to be a marketshare leader. But depending on the nature of the deal, Apple still stand to make a lot of money. The demands for iPhone's is definitely not insignificant. Apple used to release iPhones in Hong Kong before mainland China and there was enough demand from mainland Chinese buyers that you actually need to prove that you are a Hong Kong resident (hold their ID card) to be able to purchase up to two handset.

I wonder who compromised on what though. I remember reading about that China Mobile could not agree to Apple's terms. Apple's share may have fallen quite a bit from it's peak of $700+, but for all the news suggesting that they aren't doing great, the figures really aren't that bad.

[zdn1042]

It's a given that that Apple is not going to be a marketshare leader. But depending on the nature of the deal, Apple still stand to make a lot of money. The demands for iPhone's is definitely not insignificant. Apple used to release iPhones in Hong Kong before mainland China and there was enough demand from mainland Chinese buyers that you actually need to prove that you are a Hong Kong resident (hold their ID card) to be able to purchase up to two handset.

I agree with what you said. IMO Android will still pretty much be the dominant smartphone in China's market. Apple will still make lots of money through this deal though.