News
Official iPhone sales in China below expectations
By Jesse Hollington
Applications Editor, iLounge
Published: Thursday, December 3, 2009
News Category: iPhone
Following last month’s official launch of the iPhone on China Unicom, China’s most popular online retailer is reporting much lower than expected sales of official iPhone units in China. Taobao.com, the largest Chinese e-commerce web site reports that it has sold only two 8GB iPhones and three 16GB iPhones since it began selling them on Nov 22nd. Although China Unicom is also selling the iPhone directly, Taobao is considered to be China’s top online retail site for buyers of electronic devices. To comply with local regulations, iPhones sold by China Unicom do not include Wi-Fi capabilities and sell for a higher price than fully-capable iPhone models that have long been available through unofficial sources: A 32GB iPhone 3GS from China Unicom costs 6,999 yuan (US$1,024) without a contract compared to about US$800 in Hong Kong, making it difficult for official China Unicom iPhone models to compete. (via PC World).
Related Stories
- Apple airs new Siri-focused iPhone 4S ads
- Apple asks European standards body to set Frand rules
- iPhone accounts for 40% of new Sprint customers in Q4 2011
- Key iPhone, iPod executive left Apple last year
- Motorola sought lucrative royalty on iPhone, iPad sales
- AT&T explains ‘unlimited data’ user throttling, blames users?
Comments
If you have a comment, news tip, advertising inquiry, or coverage request, a question about iPods/iPhones/iPad or accessories, or if you sell or market iPod/iPhone/iPad products or services, read iLounge's Comments + Questions policies before posting, and fully identify yourself if you do. We will delete comments containing advertising, astroturfing, trolling, personal attacks, offensive language, or other objectionable content, then ban and/or publicly identify violators.
Recent News
- Apple rushing to pick demo apps for next iPad launch
- Apple airs new Siri-focused iPhone 4S ads
- Periscope Audio Lab releases SpaceSampler
- Evernote Hello improves contact entry features
- eMailGanizer Pro adds Universal Inbox, Smart Folders
- Scosche rolls out bassDock for iPad
- German court rejects Apple bid to ban Galaxy 10.1N
- iPad 3 rumors, part leaks point to early March debut
- Galaxy on Fire 2 HD update opens the Kaamo Club
- Smartr Contacts adds e-mail viewing support
Recent Reviews
- Case-Mate Pop! ID for iPhone 4/4S
- Case-Mate Pop! for iPhone 4/4S
- Case-Mate Pop! With Stand for iPhone 4/4S
- Solid Line Products RightShift 2 Removable Keyboard Case for iPad 2
- Spigen SGP Kuel F60Q Battery Pack
- Just Mobile Highway + Highway Pro for iPod, iPhone + iPad
- Speck CandyShell and CandyShell Satin for iPhone 4/4S
- Jensen JiPS-310i Docking Speaker for iPod, iPhone & iPad
- FrappeDesign Smart Sleeve for iPad 2
- Hub International Prizm for iPad/iPad 2
Recent Articles
- iOS Gems: Adventures of Tintin, Reckless Racing 2 + Scramble With Friends
- Ask iLounge 2-3-12
- Making The Case For - And Against - An Apple iTV Television
- Instant Expert: iTunes U for iPad, iPhone and iPod touch
- Instant Expert: Secrets & Features of iBooks 2.0
- iLounge’s 2012 CES Best of Show Awards: Honorable Mentions
- iLounge’s 2012 CES Best of Show Awards: iPod, iPhone, iPad + Mac
- iOS Gems: Bug Princess, Dora Hops Into Phonics, It’s A Small World, Sleepy Jack + X Is For X-Ray
- The Complete Guide to Managing iTunes Videos
- Editorial: As CES Grows, Will Microsoft’s Loss Be Apple’s Gain?
1
Hey AT&T! Apple! I can guarantee you more iPhone sales than that in North Dakota and other rural states — where you currently don’t offer the iPhone — even though we don’t have China’s population. Imagine, being able to buy, essentially, an American product in America.
Posted by steve on December 4, 2009 at 7:58 AM (PDT)
2
It is because the launch date of iPhone is the same as the Chinese OPhone, and iPhone either 3G or 3Gs can be purchase through Hong Kong at better price with full functions, that can easily be ship into mainland China. No wonder why the official sales volumn is so low.
Posted by Charanis Chiu on December 5, 2009 at 8:41 AM (PDT)