Apple iPhone Deal With China Unicom Imminent?

[MacRumors]

http://www.macrumors.com/images/macrumorsthreadlogo.gif (http://www.macrumors.com/2009/07/28/apple-iphone-deal-with-china-unicom-imminent/)

Fortune summarizes (http://brainstormtech.blogs.fortune.cnn.com/2009/07/28/chinas-iphone-deal-new-details-emerge/) recent fast-moving developments in reports of Apple and China Unicom's negotiations to bring the iPhone to China. While an initial story out of China claimed that the two companies had reached a three-year deal, subsequent reports cited a China Unicom representative who stated that no agreement had been reached and that discussions were still ongoing.First Shanghai Security News reported that Apple (AAPL) had reached a three-year deal with China Unicom to market the iPhone in the world's largest cellphone market (600 million-plus subscribers).

Then AFP and Reuters reported what China Unicom's spokesperson told them: that the two companies were still in negotiations and no agreement had been reached (something, by the way, any company dealing with Apple will say before Cupertino has had a chance to break the news itself).Fortune then points to iPhonAsia.com[/i] (http://iphonasia.com/?p=5936), which provides some details on the rumored agreement, along with a supposed late September launch date.- The Apple and China Unicom deal will be a 3-year exclusive.*
- The iPhone will be customized for the China market (e.g. Chinese language and preloaded with "for China" apps).
- China Unicom will pay Apple 3,000 CNY ($439 USD) per unit.
- China Unicom will subsidize iPhone by pricing the iPhone below the 3,000 CNY paid to Apple. This would take the official iPhone price below the grey-market price for smuggled iPhones.
- China Unicom has promised to sell a minimum 1 million units per year with significantly higher sales targets.
- The iPhone for China will make use of Apple’s China App Store.

*There is no mention of the terms of exclusivity, such as whether this will be for all iPhones or 3G models only? (leaving the door open for an unlocked 2G model in 2010/11 for all carriers).Recent reports have claimed (http://www.macrumors.com/2009/07/15/apple-progressing-toward-iphone-release-in-china/) that a China-specific version of the iPhone lacking Wi-Fi connectivity is already in production.

Article Link: Apple iPhone Deal With China Unicom Imminent? (http://www.macrumors.com/2009/07/28/apple-iphone-deal-with-china-unicom-imminent/)

[TheShinyMac]

why no wi-fi

[iCantwait]

no wifi is kinda crap.
But at least they get GPS unlike egypt

[JoJoCal19]

If this does in fact happen and Apple creates a new physical model without wifi then that kind of punches a hole in peoples arguments that Apple would not create another model with a CDMA radio in it.

[DELLsFan]

/depantsing all the geniuses here who guffawed at the "no wifi in China" prediction I made months ago. :D

Chinese app store! :rolleyes: Hopefully the concessions Apple made to the Chinese government will be worth it. Time will tell.

[Full of Win]

They are going to have so much fun using their phones to watch Youtube and updating their Facebook pages …oh, wait.

[Electrolytic]

purely selfish but would rather it be "Apple iPhone Deal w/ T-Mobile USA Imminent"

[Pixellated]

It also has carrier branding on it: http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/28/china-unicom-finally-brings-iphone-to-worlds-most-populous-coun/

[iOrlando]

so an entirely new app store just for China....

and i am guessing U.S. based app developers wont be able to have their apps sold in China?

[Sayer]

So the "for China" apps must include Google services locked in to the "Big Brother" servers Google made for China then? No Tienemen Square search results?

And all data is routed through the cell carriers, which are really just subsidiaries of the Chinese government so your calls and data will be accessible incase you post to a blog that the Chicoms don't like. An iPhone sale is an iPhone sale, who cares about the silly government controls, right?

But hey they can get iFart!

[samh004]

It also has carrier branding on it

I've got to say, I doubt it.

Apple should complain that they're being treated unfairly, considering the amount of other phones available with wifi, but who do you complain to?

It's also hard to say anything bad about China without coming across as racist, but seriously, what a crock of...

Can't wait for other stock markets to start propping themselves up to screw China.

[Kila]

Umm....who gives a ****?
This isn't China.

[Apple Corps]

Umm....who gives a ****?
This isn't China.

650,000,000 Chinese cell phone subscribers probably care.

1,400,000,000 Chinese on the move towards increased quality of life may care.

Apple stockholders care.

Talk about a narrow, provincial perspective :rolleyes:

[talkingfuture]

This could be a huge boost to the financials when it is released. Assuming it is at a price that is affordable in China.

[steviem]

Why did I read the title as 'Apple iPhone Deal With China Unicorn Imminent' and think they are gonna throw this in to sweeten the deal of the 3GS?
http://mem-artceramics.com/images/01333J.jpg

[stil]

Apple should complain that they're being treated unfairly, considering the amount of other phones available with wifi, but who do you complain to?



What other phones are you talking about? There's no Wifi on any legally bought phones in China.

[gretafour]

China Unicom shares are doing well with this news!

For some inane reason, The Chinese gov't does not allow wi-fi on any cell phone sold on the mainland. I think it's so they can charge people for the data (which is quite expensive by chinese standards). I wonder what the data usage cap will be.

[SFStateStudent]

Good for China and Apple (No WiFi?). 600 million subscribers.....:eek::eek::eek:

[imwoblin]

So assuming Apple ships iPhones for 1/6 of the potential cell phone market in China (100 million) x $439 = HUGE SALE... so huge that my TI calculator doesn't have enough space to calculate = E = $$$$$

[stil]

Umm....who gives a ****?
This isn't China.

It's China for me.

Everybody has a mobile phone here. Street cleaners, farmers, everybody. Smart phones have been common for years. There are more people on the internet in China than the US population. Apple products have been making in-roads here and a piece of the mobile phone market would greatly improve Apple's profile. If you have an iPhone it was probably put together in Shenzhen, China.

Perhaps you don't care but plenty of people do including me.

I can use Wifi because my iPhone is out of Hong Kong.

I can also use MMS on my China Unicom 3G plan. :p

[DELLsFan]

China Unicom shares are doing well with this news!

For some inane reason, The Chinese gov't does not allow wi-fi on any cell phone sold on the mainland. I think it's so they can charge people for the data (which is quite expensive by chinese standards) ...

No, I believe it's because a phone with no Wi-Fi is less likely to tempt Chinese citizens to offend the morals of the State. It's hard enough monitoring the "appropriate" internet usage and loyalty of the communist populace without adding mobile internet to the fray.

[samh004]

What other phones are you talking about? There's no Wifi on any legally bought phones in China.

While at the same time they're not exactly cracking down on illegal sales of phones with wifi in them. Can't imagine any expats living there will be particularly happy if they can't get out to purchase their phones.

I understand how the government works there, but it wont be long before tanks can't hold back the people. I eagerly wait for that day.

[Shiner]

I only have 1,000 shares of apple stock. How many does everyone else have? I am just concerned with apple products quality going downhill. They have been getting worse every year they grow.

[frankly]

If this does in fact happen and Apple creates a new physical model without wifi then that kind of punches a hole in peoples arguments that Apple would not create another model with a CDMA radio in it.

Do you actually think that removing Wi-Fi from the phone is equivalent to changing the radio frequency chip and updating the programing that goes along with that?

[Bjohnson33]

I only have 1,000 shares of apple stock. How many does everyone else have? I am just concerned with apple products quality going downhill. They have been getting worse every year they grow.

I'm not sure what you mean by this. How has their quality gotten worse every year?

[frankly]

I'm not sure what you mean by this. How has their quality gotten worse every year?

I think the more pertinent question would be what does his statement have to do with this thread?

[DELLsFan]

I only have 1,000 shares of apple stock. How many does everyone else have? I am just concerned with apple products quality going downhill. They have been getting worse every year they grow.

I don't think they have. The Aluminum Unibody for the MacBook Pro lineup was one of my favorite improvements. Clever, efficient, sleek, gorgeous, but still pricey enough to earn you a few dividends on your return. :cool:

I think the more pertinent question would be what does his statement have to do with this thread?

Apple products are made in China. Perhaps he has concerns about the fabrication process there and the China Unicom news reminded him of it? :confused:

[Shiner]

I'm not sure what you mean by this. How has their quality gotten worse every year?

Well the first mac I ever bought for myself was an old blue G3 tower. That thing is still in my lab and runs great. Since that computer I have bought, or one of the postdocs or graduate students have bought, ever model of apple computers since. It seems from my experience every year the computers look better and better and appeal to more and more people. Unfortunately, I see more and more manufacturing problems every year. Recently, I returned the new MBP 13" for too many issues. The postdoc in my lab hated his rev. A macbook air. Hinges broke three times!! Motherboard on my macpro died twice! I actually just mailed away my 30" cinema display but she has been loyal for 2.5 years so something was bound to happen. My Black macbook was all around terrible. All of this was covered by applecare but still it did happen. My G4 powerbook was the best laptop I have ever owned. I still see it in the lab every once in while. My point is that apple is growing faster than they can keep up already. They are a very conservative company. That is why they have done so well money wise. They do not like to grow rapidly and then be stuck with overhead. This is good if you are a small company, which I like. Apple will see an increase in demand and without growth in the company it will have to make more with less people. Thus a lesser product.

[Shiner]

I think the more pertinent question would be what does his statement have to do with this thread?

I was responding to a question asked to me in the thread. I guess I should just be quiet.

[jholzner]

If this does in fact happen and Apple creates a new physical model without wifi then that kind of punches a hole in peoples arguments that Apple would not create another model with a CDMA radio in it.

I'm not exactly following your logic here. They remove wifi. That's it. CDMA would require additional software and engineering. It's not really the same at all.

[aokiqiao]

If this does in fact happen and Apple creates a new physical model without wifi then that kind of punches a hole in peoples arguments that Apple would not create another model with a CDMA radio in it.
Think about the call quality the iphones had in the past with gsm since the beginning. With the 3GS its gotten alot better just barely and it took 3 generations to iron it out. If they put CDMA in they would have to do alot of testing beforehand before throwing anything out. Wifi I think can be taken out or blocked software-wise more easily without much effort. :rolleyes:Then again, what do I know. lol

Edit: Damnit, jholzner beat me to it. :P

[frankly]

I was responding to a question asked to me in the thread. I guess I should just be quiet.

The entire thread starting from your original post makes no sense.

Who cares???
Read post #13
I only have 1,000 shares of apple stock. How many does everyone else have? I am just concerned with apple products quality going downhill. They have been getting worse every year they grow.
I'm not sure what you mean by this. How has their quality gotten worse every year?
I think the more pertinent question would be what does his statement have to do with this thread?

It didn't make any sense from the word go. Sorry. No one is saying you should be quiet just that your post doesn't seem to apply, unless you aren't spelling out what you are thinking adequately.

Also, no offense but what are you guys doing to the computers in your lab? No hardware is perfect but the track record of machines by people you work with is horrible. Either you guys have the worst luck ever or you use your computers like this:

http://dl.getdropbox.com/u/5776/zoo2.jpg

You can't judge a computer's quality from the experience of a few users. The fact is simple, if your examples were prevalent in Apple's products then they would be out of business.

[whatever]

If this does in fact happen and Apple creates a new physical model without wifi then that kind of punches a hole in peoples arguments that Apple would not create another model with a CDMA radio in it.

No this does not punch a hole in the CDMA argument.

Customizations for a country is done simply so Apple can enter that country. And when the country is China, you kind of adapt to their standards.

CDMA is just a technology/standard that simply does not need to be supported.

[whatever]

I only have 1,000 shares of apple stock. How many does everyone else have? I am just concerned with apple products quality going downhill. They have been getting worse every year they grow.

What the hell are you talking about.

1. Apple products are better now than they were 20 years ago.
2. Apple products are better now than they were 10 years ago.
3. Apple products are better now then they were 5 years ago.

Need I continue.

If you're asking for stock advise here, then I recommend that you sell now.

[TheBritishBloke]

I don't understand really why there's no Wi-Fi.

I guess this is an alright move for :apple:, especially as they're just wanting to expand their market. Lets say 10% of the 650,000,000 Subscribers in China move to the iPhone. Thats 65Million units sold. What company WOULDN'T want that?

[sjo]

650,000,000 Chinese cell phone subscribers probably care.

1,400,000,000 Chinese on the move towards increased quality of life may care.

Apple stockholders care.

Talk about a narrow, provincial perspective :rolleyes:

India is very similar cell phone market, huge by numbers. However, Apple managed to sell a total of 11000 iphones there. Not 11 million, 11 thousand.

So who cares?

[Shiner]

What the hell are you talking about.

1. Apple products are better now than they were 20 years ago.
2. Apple products are better now than they were 10 years ago.
3. Apple products are better now then they were 5 years ago.

Need I continue.

If you're asking for stock advise here, then I recommend that you sell now.

I guess I would say continue. What are you basing this belief on? The two computers you are using or apple's press release?

[Shiner]

The entire thread starting from your original post makes no sense.







It didn't make any sense from the word go. Sorry. No one is saying you should be quiet just that your post doesn't seem to apply, unless you aren't spelling out what you are thinking adequately.

Also, no offense but what are you guys doing to the computers in your lab? No hardware is perfect but the track record of machines by people you work with is horrible. Either you guys have the worst luck ever or you use your computers like this:

http://dl.getdropbox.com/u/5776/zoo2.jpg

You can't judge a computer's quality from the experience of a few users. The fact is simple, if your examples were prevalent in Apple's products then they would be out of business.

You actually prove my point with your lame picture (I love the movie). These computers are in lab almost everyday and are treated pretty good and yet they still break. I know my experience is limited to about 50-60 macs in the last 10 years but it seems to me, again just my opinion, that the newer ones are not built as good as the old ones. That is all.

As far as the point: I was simply stating that selling more iphones does not necessarily mean better things for the end user. People always point to an increase in sales as a great thing for the average apple consumer and I simply wanted to state I do not agree. Someone pointed me to a post that stated that exactly. Thats all. No reason to get pissed. Everyone on here is so touchy.

[frankly]

You actually prove my point with your lame picture (I love the movie). These computers are in lab almost everyday and are treated pretty good and yet they still break. I know my experience is limited to about 50-60 macs in the last 10 years but it seems to me, again just my opinion, that the newer ones are not built as good as the old ones. That is all.

As far as the point: I was simply stating that selling more iphones does not necessarily mean better things for the end user. People always point to an increase in sales as a great thing for the average apple consumer and I simply wanted to state I do not agree. Someone pointed me to a post that stated that exactly. Thats all. No reason to get pissed. Everyone on here is so touchy.

Disagreeing with you does not mean we are touchy. The problem with your analysis is that you think that you consider the results from your 50 computers to be an adequate sampling from which to judge the quality of Apple computers over the last 10 years as a whole. I'm simply pointing out that this is absolutely ridiculous. Apple sells around 10 million Macs a year. If your experience were the norm and we extrapolated that out to the Mac sales as a whole then Apple would have gone belly up years ago. The fact is that their computers ARE high quality. In fact, I consider the new unibody MBPs to be the BEST laptop Apple has EVER made.

I've been using a Mac since 1988 and I have used personally and seen in action many many computers. I'm not denying that your G3 is a great computer. I still have a G4 that is running strong. But to say that the new models are of crappy quality based on just the ones in your lab is ridiculous. I have a 2007 17" MBP that I use every day. I lug it from home, to my office, to the classroom, to meetings, every single day. Back and forth. In the bag and out of the bag. Constantly. And it is like new. The reason I posted that picture is because in my head that's how I'm picturing you and your colleagues using your machines. I'm not saying that stuff doesn't break on its own but you guys either have the worst luck or you have some abusive users.

Either way, you are not the norm and Apple products are of high quality. They are consistently rated as the most reliable in independent consumer reports, by magazines reviews, etc.

So, sorry about your bad luck but it isn't happening overall.

[Shiner]

Disagreeing with you does not mean we are touchy. The problem with your analysis is that you think that you consider the results from your 50 computers to be an adequate sampling from which to judge the quality of Apple computers over the last 10 years as a whole. I'm simply pointing out that this is absolutely ridiculous. Apple sells around 10 million Macs a year. If your experience were the norm and we extrapolated that out to the Mac sales as a whole then Apple would have gone belly up years ago. The fact is that their computers ARE high quality. In fact, I consider the new unibody MBPs to be the BEST laptop Apple has EVER made.

I've been using a Mac since 1988 and I have used personally and seen in action many many computers. I'm not denying that your G3 is a great computer. I still have a G4 that is running strong. But to say that the new models are of crappy quality based on just the ones in your lab is ridiculous. I have a 2007 17" MBP that I use every day. I lug it from home, to my office, to the classroom, to meetings, every single day. Back and forth. In the bag and out of the bag. Constantly. And it is like new. The reason I posted that picture is because in my head that's how I'm picturing you and your colleagues using your machines. I'm not saying that stuff doesn't break on its own but you guys either have the worst luck or you have some abusive users.

Either way, you are not the norm and Apple products are of high quality. They are consistently rated as the most reliable in independent consumer reports, by magazines reviews, etc.

So, sorry about your bad luck but it isn't happening overall.

Nice post, but I do want to point out that this is your opinion. Just like my statement was my opinion. I think the sampling is a fair assessment for ME the end user. In reference to your statement about we have bad luck or have abusive users is just stupid. It shows your bias to apple. It appears that there is NO WAY a apple computer could be built incorrectly. Guess what I have the track record to prove it.

[kdarling]

why no wi-fi

If all your voice and data must go over cell connections, then the government can monitor those, and limit access if wished, much easier.

Plus there's no question to whom the offending device belongs.

[frankly]

Nice post, but I do want to point out that this is your opinion. Just like my statement was my opinion. I think the sampling is a fair assessment for ME the end user. In reference to your statement about we have bad luck or have abusive users is just stupid. It shows your bias to apple. It appears that there is NO WAY a apple computer could be built incorrectly. Guess what I have the track record to prove it.

I guess you missed the part where I said:

They are consistently rated as the most reliable in independent consumer reports, by magazines reviews, etc.

AND

Apple sells around 10 million Macs a year. If your experience were the norm and we extrapolated that out to the Mac sales as a whole then Apple would have gone belly up years ago.

Your opinion is just that, an opinion, and a bad one at that. If Apple products were seeing failure rates anywhere close to the rate you are seeing them at your location it would be all over the news, they would have to answer to their shareholders about it, and they would be hemorrhaging cash. None of that is happening because they don't have massive failure rates as you would like to believe.

This is NOT an opinion. These are facts. Sorry it doesn't fit your little mold.

[Apple Corps]

India is very similar cell phone market, huge by numbers. However, Apple managed to sell a total of 11000 iphones there. Not 11 million, 11 thousand.

So who cares?

This thread is about China - not India - read post #13 - many people care.

[whatever]

I guess I would say continue. What are you basing this belief on? The two computers you are using or apple's press release?
No, this based on using and owning Macs since Apple II in the early 80's, combined with the general public opinion of Apple's products.

But is a MacPro better than a a PowerMac G3. Yes, hands down. Better design, better hardware and better price.

Is the current iMac better than the original iMac base on the above criteria? Yes, it is.

Is the current iPod better than the 5GB iPod? Again the answer is yes.

My current MacBook Pro if superior in every way to the PowerBook that it replaced, even though they have same case.

However, quality of a product does not always equate to value of the stock. Back when I bought Apple stock, Apple had good products, but a bad stock. When I buying up Apple stock at around $14.00 share (pre-slit prices) everyone laughed at me, I was told that Apple was going out of business...

[JoJoCal19]

Do you actually think that removing Wi-Fi from the phone is equivalent to changing the radio frequency chip and updating the programing that goes along with that?

The point is, all of the naysayers loved to say that Apple would NEVER make a physically different model of the iPhone. Wifi most likely will be physically removed because if it was blocked by software it would be very easy to circumvent like most other software restrictions Apple has made, which people just jailbroke to get around.

So Ill say once again, if this is a physically different model (physically removing wifi) then this proves wrong all the people who swore that Apple would never make CDMA iPhone because it would be PHYSICALLY DIFFERENT from its current GSM counterpart.

[iphones4evry1]

It's about time we reversed the trade deficit. :D

This has gone on for too long. I figure the Chinese will buy $10 Billion worth of iPhones every month. Before long, China will be in debt to us.

[Shiner]

Every move apple makes is awesome!!! I love them so much.

[macshill]

So just like Americans with AT&T and Canadians with Rogers, Chinese can get screwed by Unicom. Niiice. :apple:

Being brought together by a global gouging initiative.

[frankly]

The point is, all of the naysayers loved to say that Apple would NEVER make a physically different model of the iPhone. Wifi most likely will be physically removed because if it was blocked by software it would be very easy to circumvent like most other software restrictions Apple has made, which people just jailbroke to get around.

So Ill say once again, if this is a physically different model (physically removing wifi) then this proves wrong all the people who swore that Apple would never make CDMA iPhone because it would be PHYSICALLY DIFFERENT from its current GSM counterpart.

Well, I guess it's easy to point fingers and try to knock down an argument if you only deal in absolutes. If you're arguing against people that said Apple would NEVER release a model that was any different at all then you probably won that argument.

However, your assertion that because they might release a model with one change that this means they will release one with another change then I'm not sure you can make that claim. The fact is that these require different amounts of engineering and it would be much harder for them to make a CDMA model than it would to make a version of the current model minus the Wi-Fi.

Personally, I'm not saying that they will never do it. In fact, I think they probably have a CDMA prototype in their lab. They would be crazy not to. However, my personal opinion is that they are hoping that AT&T will come through and offer them some concessions in order to extend the exclusivity deal. That will give the carriers time to roll out their 4G, which from what I've read looks to be compatible between Verizon and AT&T. We'll see.

Frank

[frankly]

So just like Americans with AT&T and Canadians with Rogers, Chinese can get screwed by Unicom. Niiice. :apple:

Being brought together by a global gouging initiative.

Verizon is the only other name I hear brought up when it comes to people wanting another carrier and their prices are almost identical to AT&T. Who were you hoping would be able to carry the iPhone?

[macshill]

Apple blocks Google Voice app for iPhone

http://news.cnet.com/8301-13579_3-10297618-37.html

Now if only Google can duplicate a form of the iPod Touch MP3/web/apps device and launch Google Voice app for that, maybe we'd have a shot at not being tied to a carrier and a contract.

Google Voice Rejected on iPhone, Get BlackBerry Version Now
http://www.pcworld.com/article/169205/Google_Voice_Rejected_on_iPhone_Get_BlackBerry_Version_Now.html

Could Apple's Google Voice Rejection Draw DOJ Scrutiny?
http://www.crn.com/mobile/218700215;jsessionid=STYVYYIZRQUBSQSNDLPSKHSCJUNN2JVN

[Shiner]

Apple blocks Google Voice app for iPhone

http://news.cnet.com/8301-13579_3-10297618-37.html

Now if only Google can duplicate a form of the iPod Touch MP3/web/apps device and launch Google Voice app for that, maybe we'd have a shot at not being tied to a carrier and a contract.

Google Voice Rejected on iPhone, Get BlackBerry Version Now
http://www.pcworld.com/article/169205/Google_Voice_Rejected_on_iPhone_Get_BlackBerry_Version_Now.html

Could Apple's Google Voice Rejection Draw DOJ Scrutiny?
http://www.crn.com/mobile/218700215;jsessionid=STYVYYIZRQUBSQSNDLPSKHSCJUNN2JVN

Whoa!!! You are crazy to post something negative about apple in these forums they will eat you alive!! Good luck pal. I am sure Frankly's mouth is watering to tear into you. Facts have no place in this forum.

[frankly]

Whoa!!! You are crazy to post something negative about apple in these forums they will eat you alive!! Good luck pal. I am sure Frankly's mouth is watering to tear into you. Facts have no place in this forum.

I have no problem with people posting things negative about Apple. They often do silly things, especially when it comes to the App store.

What I do have a problem with is people pulling things out of their rear, like you did. Trying to make yourself look like a martyr makes your arguments look even more ridiculous.

[sjo]

This thread is about China - not India - read post #13 - many people care.

so you think if you repeat something enough it'll become true? :D

well there's 50 posts in this thread, 1/3 wondering who cares, then you'll replying something about post #13, some posts about something not very well related, so that leaves about 10-15 ppl actually caring.

btw, i've been right all along about iphone and china, telling you guys that apple needs to work with china unicom, not china telecom (as the rumors claimed earlier) and pointing out several other inaccuracies and logical failures in the iphone in china rumors.

and i tell you now that the market in china for iphone is comparable to that in india: not that big a deal.

[iphones4evry1]

So just like Americans with AT&T and Canadians with Rogers, Chinese can get screwed by Unicom. Niiice. :apple:

Being brought together by a global gouging initiative.

LMAO!!!!! :D

[twoodcc]

apple really needs to hurry and get this deal done

[JoJoCal19]

Well, I guess it's easy to point fingers and try to knock down an argument if you only deal in absolutes. If you're arguing against people that said Apple would NEVER release a model that was any different at all then you probably won that argument.

However, your assertion that because they might release a model with one change that this means they will release one with another change then I'm not sure you can make that claim. The fact is that these require different amounts of engineering and it would be much harder for them to make a CDMA model than it would to make a version of the current model minus the Wi-Fi.

Personally, I'm not saying that they will never do it. In fact, I think they probably have a CDMA prototype in their lab. They would be crazy not to. However, my personal opinion is that they are hoping that AT&T will come through and offer them some concessions in order to extend the exclusivity deal. That will give the carriers time to roll out their 4G, which from what I've read looks to be compatible between Verizon and AT&T. We'll see.

Frank

Very well said. While I cant know for sure because I have not seen it, I have good reason to believe there are CDMA iPhones in testing. One can only hope until its announced.

[frankly]

Very well said. While I cant know for sure because I have not seen it, I have good reason to believe there are CDMA iPhones in testing. One can only hope until its announced.

I'm all for the CDMA phone but honestly I don't think it will be that great unless it is released on both Verizon and Sprint. Right now Verizon is tied for the highest rates right along with AT&T. Personally I wish that we would get on one system (GSM) in this country like most of the rest of the world so that all the carriers could share the cost of building out the infrastructure. Then we'd have better coverage EVERYWHERE and you could make your choice based on features and price. I hate that coverage area is a selling point. It is 2009, shouldn't we have coverage everywhere by now? Well, I mean at least in populated areas. It is sad when I drive through my neighborhood and go from 5 bars to 1 bar in less than 1 mile.

[stil]

Report: Apple Signs Three-Year iPhone Deal With China Unicom - washingtonpost.com http://bit.ly/24X2Iz

[huntor]

it's retarded that it took this long..

i mean, china makes pretty much all apple products.
why wouldn't they get to use the badass sh** they make?
out of all people, they deserve it.

apple should be handing out iphones over there.
shooting 'em into crowds at sporting events..
or whatever the chinese rally up for..

[Delirium39]

so an entirely new app store just for China....

and i am guessing U.S. based app developers wont be able to have their apps sold in China?

There's been a China App Store since the beginning. You can go see it yourself by switching your country at the bottom of the front page of iTunes. For some reason, we're not allowed to sell games there, but everything else seems to be fair game.

[Mackan]

It's sad to see Apple bend over like this. They don't need to bring the iPhone to China. They are making huge profits already, don't you think. Oh wait, I forgot greed.

[frankly]

It's sad to see Apple bend over like this. They don't need to bring the iPhone to China. They are making huge profits already, don't you think. Oh wait, I forgot greed.

Greed? They are in business to make money. If there is a market in China please explain to me why this doesn't make sense for them as a company.

[Kila]

650,000,000 Chinese cell phone subscribers probably care.

1,400,000,000 Chinese on the move towards increased quality of life may care.

Apple stockholders care.

Talk about a narrow, provincial perspective :rolleyes:

Oh my bad.
I guess I was unaware that we had 1,400,000,000 Chinese people on here.
Sorry to all of you, my mistake.

[tgildred]

Why did I read the title as 'Apple iPhone Deal With China Unicorn Imminent' and think they are gonna throw this in to sweeten the deal of the 3GS?
http://mem-artceramics.com/images/01333J.jpg

Me too. I thought, throw in a few ligers and you've got yourself a deal.