- December 3, 2009 10:41 am
In a land of over 1 billion people, one would think that the iPhone could find at least some strong footing. The people of China have been begging for official support ever since the first gen iPhone became available way back in 2007. Now that it has, what does China Unicom have to show for it? 5 iPhones. Ok, so this number isn’t the overall number of iPhones sold. Although. the fact that this number comes from the countries largest online iPhone retailer, TaoBao, sets a depressing tone for other sales channels. If the largest online store in China can only sell one hand full of iPhones, what are smaller stores doing? It’s hard to say really. I know for a fact their are more than 5 official iPhones floating around China but I’m not arguing the fact that the official China Unicom edition iPhone is crap. Lacking WiFi and launching with an astronomically high 4,999 yuan ($730) to 6,999 yuan ($1,025) also doesn’t help matters.
Of course, those who really wanted an unadulterated iPhone with fully functioning features in tact have been able to pick them up on the black market for well over a year at much lower prices. Essentially China Unicom shot themselves in the foot with the skyhigh price tag and trying to sell a WiFi-less iPhone to begin with. Any Chinese readers care to chime in?
**I know the WiFi ban was government mandated and not the sole decision of China Unicom. The ban has since been lifted and the next gen of Chinese bound iPhones should regain said feature.
Mashable
Penetrating and actually turning a buck in the lucrative and downright massive mobile user market in China has been the dream of many cellphone manufacturers. Given the Chinese government’s tight control however, such dreams have stayed at just that as stiff regulations and often odd rules make entering the market so difficult some manufacturers simply stay away. One such manufacturer who is trying their luck is Apple. As many of you know, they’re been trying to tap the Chinese market for some time now but have so fare been unsuccessful. We all also know that Apple recently struck a deal with China Unicom to sell the iPhone 3GS in China, a big win for Apple. But is it really that much of a win for Chinese customers?
Now why would I raise such a silly question? Chinese mobile users have been able to get unlocked iPhone 3GS’s with WiFi from street side vendors for roughly 5,700 yuan ($835 USD). The new official phones from China Unicom are coming in hot and heavy but lacking WiFi. Yup, pass. Even worse, prices for Unicom’s iPhone are grossly higher — between 4,999 yuan ($730 USD) and 6,999 yuan ($1,025 USD)! Why would anyone want to spend more for less? Beats me. It’s hard to say if China Unicom’s iPhone’s will/won’t be a big hit. I can honestly see both scenarios. (1) It sells well because now every has a legitimate source to get it or (2) it’s so expensive that people flock to street vendors who understandably have limited quantities thereby driving up price. If the latter plays out, maybe rising street prices will limit the sting from picking up China Unicom’s neutered version. After getting this far in, I’m sure you’re wondering why the iPhone 3GS from China Unicom doesn’t have WiFi.
It’s simple really. At the time, Beijing banned WiFi because they were working on their own version. That’s it. That has since been abandoned (please correct me if I’m wrong) and as such the ban has been lifted. By the time the ban was lifted however, China Unicom’s iPhones had already started production. Bummer I know. It’s just a reason to wait for the next version of the iPhone which Unicom spokesman, Yi Difei, stated “We hope to have WiFi in the next version”. Some comfort I guess.
Cellular-News
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