21 Century Business Herald sources claim Apple is in talks with China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology concerning a network license, which, unfortunately for those in the market for a new iPhone won’t come anytime soon. Although we reported yesterday that Apple has obtained some of the necessary network licenses in China, the sources claim that Apple may delay the Chinese iPhone 6 launch until early next year.
From what the 21CBH sources reveal, we gather that Apple has suspended the manufacturing of the iPhone 6 models t meant for the Chinese market. While it originally planned to deliver “tens of millions” of iPhone 6 units to mainland China, the supply chain’s output was between 100,000 and 300,000 units by the end of August.
China Mobile is expanding its 4G network by 40% and, according to Bloomberg, it is moving to sell smartphones without subsidies or contracts. The move seems to be the result of the carrier’s $2 billion cut from phone subsidies.
“The direction of our development is to completely focus on the mass market,” Chairman Xi Guohua told reporters in Taiwan today. “We have 4G devices selling for 1,000 yuan. I believe, subsidy or no subsidy, discount or no discount, the common person will be able to appreciate this.”
China Mobile’s chairman Xi Guohua has no idea when the iPhone 6 or iPhone 6 Plus will be available to carriers in China. Meanwhile, Apple will launch the device in Hong Kong on September 19. As we already pointed out, the delay is perfect for iPhone smugglers, who can sell the device they bought in Hong Kong for up to three times of the original purchase price.
