On Tuesday, a week before Apple Inc is set to unveil its next-generation smartphone, China Mobile Ltd - the world's biggest telecom carrier by subscriber number - kicked off online preorders for the widely anticipated device. It also confirmed rumors that Apple will release larger screens for the device as buyers are asked to choose either a 4.7-inch version or a 5.5-inch one. The iPhone 5S has a 4-inch screen.
The program is available only in Beijing and, as of Tuesday evening, had attracted more than 33,000 orders. It remains unclear when the buyers can get the device. A person familiar with the matter told China Daily the first iPhone 6 could be distributed to Chinese customers as early as mid-month. Apple is slated to unveil the devices on Sept 9 in San Francisco.
Online reservations are the usual way that Apple enthusiasts on the Chinese mainland get the first batch of iPhones. On Taobao, hundreds of stores that are receiving the iPhone 6 are asking for a down payment of about 5,000 CNY (810 USD).
Significantly fewer people are opting to book iPhones from unofficial dealers this year as opposed to several years ago because Apple products now become available on the Chinese mainland shortly after the worldwide launch. The top Taobao shops each gathered roughly 200 preorders this year, compared with the iPhone 5 release, when some stores received about 700 preorders, according to Li Lijun, an electronics seller on Taobao.
Apple dropped to sixth place in market share among smartphone vendors in China in the second quarter of this year, according to data from industry researcher IDC. Sales of iPhones in China are predicted to face stiff competition from domestic smartphone vendors Xiaomi Corp and Lenovo Group Ltd as they release their flagship devices. On the same day that China Mobile started its reservation service for the iPhone 6, Chinese company Meizu Telecom Equipment Co Ltd introduced its latest smartphone in Beijing.
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