Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) recently sent out invitations for a separate iPhone event in China. The U.S. event will be on September 10th and the China event will be held on September 11th. The fact they will hold a separate event for the key market speaks volumes about the company’s plans to cater to China’s huge tech market.
Earlier this year, the Cupertino-based tech giant received a lot of negative attention over poor customer service in that particular market. The company’s chief executive officer issued and apology. Cook later met with China Mobile’s Xi Guohua to talk about business matters. This leaves investors hoping for a cheaper iPhone and a good distribution deal with the world’s largest carrier.
China is Apple’s second largest market
Since China is Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL)’s second largest market, it’s crucial that the iPhone maker keeps them in mind. And thanks to competition from Android-based smartphone makers like Lenovo and Xiaomi. Earlier this week, Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) announced that they activiated 1 billion Android devices, a number that exceeds the total number of iPhone sales.
According to Apple Insider, “Two theories shared by The Wall Street Journal include a day-and-date launch of new iPhone models matching their debut in the U.S. and other large markets, as well as the possibility of an agreement with mega-carrier China Mobile. The latter has been an obstacle for Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) for some time, as China Mobile is the world’s largest carrier with more than 700 million active subscribers. Cook himself is said to have traveled to visit with the head of China Mobile on a number of ocassions in an effort to forge a deal. But sticking points have remained, including the fact that the carrier would like to receive a cut of software sold on the iOS App Store.”
Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) has a golden opportunity to market their next generation of iPhone and possibly the iPhone 5C in China.
