iPhoneHeat » iPhone for China

China Approved an iPhone WiFi (WAPI) Model

iPhoneHeat — Tue, 04 May 2010 12:43:20 +0000

iPhone offered to the Chinese market since Oct 2009 via China Unicom lacks the WiFi feature. But according to PCWorld, Chinese regulators last month approved the frequency ranges used by a new Apple mobile phone with 3G and wireless LAN support. The device appears to be an iPhone and uses GSM and the 3G standard WCDMA, just like iPhones currently offered in China by local carrier China Unicom.

The move suggests Apple may soon launch a new version of the iPhone in China with Wi-Fi, a feature that regulations previously barred.
The new Apple phone does support WAPI, according to the Chinese regulatory site. If an iPhone with WAPI goes on sale, Apple would be one of the highest-profile companies to offer a device using the protocol.

The reference to “A1303″ in the chinese language filing means this is likely a WAPI version of the iPhone 3GS, according to Engadget. The device, like all mobile phones, still must obtain a network access license from regulators if its maker wants to sell it in China.

Once released, it will be one of a few foreign handsets including Dell’s Mini 3i to feature the Chinese national standard for WLAN. Apple and local carrier, China Unicom, presumably hope to boost iPhone sales with this move.

via [Engadget] [PCWolrd]

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China Unicom Reaches 3-Years Deal to Bring iPhone to China in the Fourth Quarter

iPhoneHeat — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 15:21:18 +0000

China Unicom has finally announced that the iPhone is coming to China and will go on sale in the fourth quarter. China Unicom and Apple has reached a three years agreement to sell iPhone in China.

On 28 August, the Company and Apple reached a three-year agreement for the Company to sell iPhone in China. The initial launch is expected to be in the fourth calendar quarter of 2009. This will provide users with brand new communication and information experience.

Now the things that needs to be confirmed is the WiFi and App Store in China.

China Unicom Buys 1.5 Billion Worth of iPhones, To Go On Sale In September?

iPhoneHeat — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 10:57:59 +0000

According to IBTimes, China Unicom has shelled out 10 billion yuan ($1.46 billion) to buy 5 million units of WCDMA iPhones from Apple with unit price of 2,000 yuan ($293).

Company will offer the iPhone in September, according to Zhou Youmeng, China Unicom’s vice general manager.

The price of the 8G standard iPhone is set at about 2,400 yuan and the 16G may be sold at 4,800 yuan.
said Yu Zaonan.

China Unicom will likely catch up with China Mobile if our profits grow by 40% with the boost of iPhones,
Yu said.

IBTimes’ insiders are amazed that Apple gave up its dividend model. Apple likely made compromises for China because of the enormous demand and intense competition.

The spokesman of China Unicom said that the final agreement hasn’t been reached with Apple.

[via IBTimes]

China iPhone Images Hit the Web

iPhoneHeat — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 01:11:40 +0000

A Chinese portal Sina.com.cn has posted some pictures of iPhone for China. If not Real, atleast some nicely faked images are made real.

In one picture, iPhone is syncing. Note that iPhone for China is on Unicom’s 3G network and it will not feature Wi-Fi Network. This remained a main sticking pt. in negotiation. The image shows iPhone as WCDMA model with seal of approval of Chinese environmental regulators for a period of ten years.

Some rumors have claimed that China Unicom will pay $440 for each iPhone they receive but selling it at a lower price. It’s being said that China Unicom has guaranteed a minimum of one million units sold per year.

However, Apple and Unicom are still in talks. iPhone for China is expected to be launched around September on China Unicom’s network, the second-largest operator in China.

via [MacWorld]