Apple to hold separate iPhone event in China on Sept. 11
Apple has announced that it will be holding a special media event for Chinese journalists on Sept. 11, just ten hours after the company is expected to announce a next-generation iPhone lineup at its headquarters in Cupertino, Calif.
Source: Sina Tech
The notices for Apple's Chinese event went out early Wednesday morning, inviting various media outlets to attend a special event in Beijing slated to begin at 10 a.m. local time on Sept. 11, reports SinaTech.
Identically designed invitations were sent to U.S. journalists on Tuesday for a Sept. 10 announcement, at which Apple is widely expected to unveil a next-generation "iPhone 5S," as well as a lower-cost model dubbed the "iPhone 5C."
If Apple does in fact debut new iPhones at both gatherings, it will be a significant departure from the company's usual product launches, illustrating the importance of the Chinese market. That a separate Chinese event has been planned lends credence to rumors regarding a less expensive iPhone model, which will reportedly keep costs down by adopting a plastic composite shell and current generation innards.
The so-called "iPhone 5C" could be a major boon for Apple in China, as cheaper handsets have been gaining popularity in the world's largest smartphone market. While not a premium offering like the anticipated iPhone 5S, which is rumored to come in a new "champagne" color to suit a shift in Chinese color preference, the 5C is expected to carry a price competitive in the upper mid-tier sector.
Apple has lost some ground recently to more affordable handsets made by local companies like Xiaomi, though the iPhone is not yet offered by China Mobile, the world's largest cellular carrier. Currently, only two operators carry the iPhone, previous exclusive partner China Unicom and, since 2012, China Telecom.
In July, Apple CEO Tim Cook reportedly visited with telecom executives, including China Mobile Chairman Xi Guohua, to discuss "matter of cooperation." Weeks later, China Mobile was said to be actively negotiating a deal with Apple, though an official arrangement has yet to be announced.
Source: Sina Tech
The notices for Apple's Chinese event went out early Wednesday morning, inviting various media outlets to attend a special event in Beijing slated to begin at 10 a.m. local time on Sept. 11, reports SinaTech.
Identically designed invitations were sent to U.S. journalists on Tuesday for a Sept. 10 announcement, at which Apple is widely expected to unveil a next-generation "iPhone 5S," as well as a lower-cost model dubbed the "iPhone 5C."
If Apple does in fact debut new iPhones at both gatherings, it will be a significant departure from the company's usual product launches, illustrating the importance of the Chinese market. That a separate Chinese event has been planned lends credence to rumors regarding a less expensive iPhone model, which will reportedly keep costs down by adopting a plastic composite shell and current generation innards.
The so-called "iPhone 5C" could be a major boon for Apple in China, as cheaper handsets have been gaining popularity in the world's largest smartphone market. While not a premium offering like the anticipated iPhone 5S, which is rumored to come in a new "champagne" color to suit a shift in Chinese color preference, the 5C is expected to carry a price competitive in the upper mid-tier sector.
Apple has lost some ground recently to more affordable handsets made by local companies like Xiaomi, though the iPhone is not yet offered by China Mobile, the world's largest cellular carrier. Currently, only two operators carry the iPhone, previous exclusive partner China Unicom and, since 2012, China Telecom.
In July, Apple CEO Tim Cook reportedly visited with telecom executives, including China Mobile Chairman Xi Guohua, to discuss "matter of cooperation." Weeks later, China Mobile was said to be actively negotiating a deal with Apple, though an official arrangement has yet to be announced.
Comments
Apple releases the iPhone 5C...in China only.
The C was for China.
LOL
Apple releases the iPhone 5C...in China only.
The C was for China.
Hmm so there's a possibility that the 5C wont be announced on Sep 10th, and maybe announced on Sep 11th in China
?
No, C will not be for China only. Leaked cases were found in Holland..., with english texts. All markets will need more affordable versions.
you could be right..........all the rumours of the Iphone 5C but it could be only available in China!
As a Chinese speaker is difficult for me to picture Tim Cook speaking mandarin 0.0
EDIT: according to 9to5Mac the US and Chinese events are only a few hours apart. So I wonder who from Apple will be speaking at that event? Also 9to5Mac speculates this event is probably to announce a China Mobile deal.
(*not very, admittedly, in the grand scheme of things)
Maybe the biggest upgrade on the 5C and 5S is that they can support China Mobile own 3G network.
I remember saying months ago that an "entry level" iPhone dsigned for the emerging markets would not necessarily be aimed at the US and EU. This may indeed be the case as the "5C" may only be designed for China, India, Brazil, etc., while the "5S" may be for the rest of us. I think this is a very smart strategy...why sell the lesser priced/featured phone in more affluent areas that are already buying the premium options Apple and other manufacturers are producing?
Apple will print tons of cash.
Wow - China, we welcome you.
Or they could use the Gulfstream it leased from Jobs.
Apple builds special versions for specific carriers.
So you've been wrong all along then. Did you not see the colourful invitation for SF? Apple does not operate like you assume. They are different.
Is that perhaps because he cannot speak Mandarin? Tim Cook won't be doing the Chinese keynote.