Apple Announces December Launches for iPhone 5, iPad Mini, and Fourth-Generation iPad in China

[MacRumors]

Following word earlier this week that the iPhone 5 had received final certification in China, Apple today announced that it will be bringing not only the iPhone 5 but also the iPad mini and fourth-generation iPad to the country over the next several weeks.

Apple today announced the Wi-Fi versions of iPad mini and fourth generation iPad with Retina display will be available in China on Friday, December 7, and iPhone 5 will be available on Friday, December 14. iPad mini and the new fourth generation iPad with Retina display are currently available in 42 countries, and iPhone 5 is available in 47 countries, including the US, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Japan and the UK.

China now accounts for 15% of Apple's revenues, making the new product launches a significant development for the company. Apple's Chinese product launches have typically lagged well behind those in other countries, but the company has been working to shorten those gaps. The iPhone 4S launched in China three months after the device's debut, while the third-generation iPad took four months to arrive in the country.

With today's announcement, the iPhone 5 will be arriving in China roughly two and a half months after the initial round of launches, while the iPad mini and fourth-generation iPad are coming to China just a month after their debut in the U.S. and other first-round markets.

Article Link: Apple Announces December Launches for iPhone 5, iPad Mini, and Fourth-Generation iPad in China

[kingping14]

about damn time!

[izyreal]

I hope this means that the supply chains for these devices are rock solid now.

[iapplelove]

the Chinese black market is gonna take a hit. maybe that also means less scalpers in US lines.

[chriscrk]

I just want the iPhone 5 to arrive in Chile already! I'm tired of my stupid android based phone (if you can even call it that).

[ogun7]

Originally Posted by iapplelove

the Chinese black market is gonna take a hit. maybe that also means less scalpers in US lines.

Amen to that!

[HobeSoundDarryl]

Low stocks or no stocks. Hard to find anywhere. Long waits for buyers in countries where it's already officially launched...

Let's immediately launch into one of the most populous countries in the world.

Nothing against China but you would think they would want to be able to somewhat keep pace with orders in the markets where it's already launched before going into other HUGE markets and further frustrating more people with longer wait times.

(and yes, I know all about the positive business effect of scarcity marketing).

Now crank up those wait times even more while chunks of production are further split among new markets.

[KirkL]

Originally Posted by HobeSoundDarryl

Low stocks or no stocks. Hard to find anywhere. Long waits for buyers in countries where it's already officially launched...

Let's immediately launch into one of the most populous countries in the world.

Nothing against China but you would think they would want to be able to somewhat keep pace with orders in the markets where it's already launched before going into other HUGE markets and further frustrating more people with longer wait times.

(and yes, I know all about the positive business effect of scarcity marketing).

Now crank up those wait times even more while chunks of production are further split among new markets.

Looks like they've caught up with demand if the US is any indication (and with the US contributing to something like 30% of all iPhone sales, I'd say it probably is...).

And just because China is the most populous country doesn't mean the 1.3+ billion population will line up to buy the phone.

[HobeSoundDarryl]

Originally Posted by KirkL

Looks like they've caught up with demand if the US is any indication (and with the US contributing to something like 30% of all iPhone sales, I'd say it probably is...).

And just because China is the most populous country doesn't mean the 1.3+ billion population will line up to buy the phone.

Don't need many to line up to be a lot when the overall pool is that large.

And I'm not seeing U.S. demand "catch up" for products like iPad Mini. I just ordered one a few days ago and found it was out of stock almost everywhere. Still showing "2 weeks" (shipping) in the Apple store.

[everything-i]

Originally Posted by KirkL

Looks like they've caught up with demand if the US is any indication (and with the US contributing to something like 30% of all iPhone sales, I'd say it probably is...).

And just because China is the most populous country doesn't mean the 1.3+ billion population will line up to buy the phone.

Well said, Apple products are high end luxury in China where the vast majority of the population could not dream of buying any of them.

----------

Originally Posted by UmbraDiaboli

They can't even keep up with demand in the Western world and already decide to launch it in China... GREED.

Are you serious?

[M-O]

Are Apple Stores in China like Build-A-Bear Workshops?

[FreeRange1]

[QUOTE=everything-i;16398105]Well said, Apple products are high end luxury in China where the vast majority of the population could not dream of buying any of them.[COLOR="#808080"]

----------

I am an expat living in China and can assure you that 10's of millions of middle class AND lower middle class people are buying Apple products. With an extremely high savings rate, they spend above average amounts of their income on "luxury goods". Further, even those that can't afford Apple products will save for a long time to buy one. They most certainly do dream of owning one.

Final point, the Chinese middle class is now larger than that of the US!

[macs4nw]

Originally Posted by KirkL

Looks like they've caught up with demand if the US is any indication (and with the US contributing to something like 30% of all iPhone sales, I'd say it probably is...). And just because China is the most populous country doesn't mean the 1.3+ billion population will line up to buy the phone.

No, not all 1.37 billion people of course, but millions will, (as you know, they're not all peasants anymore, living in poverty) and we have to believe APPLE knows their supply chains better than we do.

Originally Posted by everything-i

.....Apple products are high end luxury in China where the vast majority of the population could not dream of buying any of them.....

Make no mistake about it; that 'small' portion of the Chinese population able to afford those 'luxury items', is growing at an incredible rate, as anyone who has travelled to any of China's largest cities lately can confirm, and APPLE knows this all too well. I believe they're on the right track with their roll-out strategy.

[kalsta]

Originally Posted by HobeSoundDarryl

Low stocks or no stocks. Hard to find anywhere. Long waits for buyers in countries where it's already officially launched...

Let's immediately launch into one of the most populous countries in the world.

Nothing against China but you would think they would want to be able to somewhat keep pace with orders in the markets where it's already launched before going into other HUGE markets and further frustrating more people with longer wait times.

If you happened to live in China, would you feel the same do you think?

[HobeSoundDarryl]

Originally Posted by kcamfork

This mode of thinking makes no sense, and is typical entitled-like thinking here in the USA...

Originally Posted by kalsta

If you happened to live in China, would you feel the same do you think?

I explicitly said, "nothing against China." I wasn't making a "fair" argument. If we want to make "that's not fair" arguments, then Apple should launch to every country in the world on the same day and we can all enjoy 20+ week wait times together. Would we like that?

[kalsta]

Originally Posted by HobeSoundDarryl

I explicitly said, "nothing against China." I wasn't making a "fair" argument. If we want to make "that's not fair" arguments, then Apple should launch to every country in the world on the same day and we can all enjoy 20+ week wait times together. Would we like that?

So you're saying we're getting better than a fair deal. Doesn't sound like something to complain about if you ask me.

[mrsir2009]

Originally Posted by kalsta

If you happened to live in China, would you feel the same do you think?

If I lived in China I doubt I'd be able to get my hands on an iPad Mini for a LONG time.

[kcamfork]

Originally Posted by HobeSoundDarryl

Low stocks or no stocks. Hard to find anywhere. Long waits for buyers in countries where it's already officially launched...

Let's immediately launch into one of the most populous countries in the world.

Nothing against China but you would think they would want to be able to somewhat keep pace with orders in the markets where it's already launched before going into other HUGE markets and further frustrating more people with longer wait times.

(and yes, I know all about the positive business effect of scarcity marketing).

Now crank up those wait times even more while chunks of production are further split among new markets.

This mode of thinking makes no sense, and is typical entitled-like thinking here in the USA...

[UmbraDiaboli]

They can't even keep up with demand in the Western world and already decide to launch it in China... GREED.

[j.applewood]

Originally Posted by UmbraDiaboli

They can't even keep up with demand in the Western world and already decide to launch it in China... GREED.

Go ahead and never start your own business.

[JHankwitz]

Originally Posted by UmbraDiaboli

They can't even keep up with demand in the Western world and already decide to launch it in China... GREED.

No, it's called "Backorder Syndrome". Many companies gage their success on the size of their back orders. And wanting to make more money is not considered greed, unless you consider wanting to make more money for what you do as greed.

[xofruitcake]

Originally Posted by UmbraDiaboli

They can't even keep up with demand in the Western world and already decide to launch it in China... GREED.

heh heh, did you read what you wrote? If Apple can produce X unit of Iphone 5 in 4Q, how would launching in China make any more money for them? They are still going to sell X units of Iphone 5 in 4Q. How does GREED come in play here?

I don't think you understand China market. China user forum are full of posts complaining that China is one of the most important market for Apple but yet they are being treated as second class citizens. Selling in China also help make the supply chain more efficient. Right now a fair number of Iphone and Ipad mini are bought in US, Europe, Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong etc and sent to China for 20-30% over the US list price. By start selling in China, Apple cut off the grey market..

Have fun reading some China msg board equivalent to McRumor and you will have a better perspective..

http://bbs.weiphone.com/thread-htm-fid-466.html

[Thunderhawks]

Originally Posted by HobeSoundDarryl

Low stocks or no stocks. Hard to find anywhere. Long waits for buyers in countries where it's already officially launched...

Let's immediately launch into one of the most populous countries in the world.

Nothing against China but you would think they would want to be able to somewhat keep pace with orders in the markets where it's already launched before going into other HUGE markets and further frustrating more people with longer wait times.

(and yes, I know all about the positive business effect of scarcity marketing).

Now crank up those wait times even more while chunks of production are further split among new markets.

Never learned to wait for non essential things for life?

Geez! Let's go postal!

[PracticalMac]

Chinese characters are "Part, Part, inch, inch". I guess it is Apples way of saying Mini.

[chaoskun]

Originally Posted by PracticalMac

Chinese characters are "Part, Part, inch, inch". I guess it is Apples way of saying Mini.

yeah, and it actually means "every inch an iPad".