China Unicom to launch iPhone on October 15?

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China Unicom to launch iPhone on October 15?

China Unicom is internally targeting October 15 as its launch date for the iPhone in China, according to a China Business Times report (Translated Link). Pricing for the handset will reportedly be 1,999 yuan (roughly $293) for the 8GB model and 2,999 yuan (~$439) for the 16GB model; both prices would require a two-year contract with a minimum monthly fee of 186 yuan (~$27). The 8GB price is slightly lower than the 2,500 yuan speculated in an earlier report, but the two-year contact and 186 yuan are the same as previously reported. When announcing its three-year deal with Apple to sell the iPhone in China, Unicom did not give an exact launch date, saying only that it planned to launch the handset in the fourth quarter. [via Unwired View]

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Comments

1

We need China unicom here in the states $27 / month for 3g. AT&T could learn something there.

Posted by Xing on September 23, 2009 at 12:25 PM (PDT)

2

isn’t it just $30 a month in the us? thats just a $36 dollar savings a year and things are generally cheaper in China than they are in the US so a $3 discount there is not a suprise, we pay the extra $3 a month because we get to live in a non-communist country called the US.

Posted by anil6057 on September 23, 2009 at 1:31 PM (PDT)

3

hmmm…no, it’s not just $30 in the States…

China unicom only require “both prices would require a two-year contract with a minimum monthly fee of 186 yuan (~$27)”, from what i get after reading the article

at&t actually charge 30 just for data alone, and then you need a $40 individual voice plan…...so it’s more like $43 saving every month, if this article get the info right

Posted by Josh on September 23, 2009 at 2:04 PM (PDT)

4

43*12*2 = $518 over 2 year contract. Non communist US, government owns the auto industry, banking industy, next the medical industry (at least they paid for em all) - largest employer in US is the federal government. Lines are a little blurred I think

Posted by Xing on September 23, 2009 at 2:44 PM (PDT)

5

All cell service in China is prepaid, so the $27/mo is likely only related to the data plan. Monthly service fee is only about $1-2/mo then you pay for your actual usage. FWIW, I only pay about $10 including my data plan because it’s not officially an iPhone plan.

Posted by Miguk on September 23, 2009 at 11:56 PM (PDT)

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