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

MacRumors · Nov 30, 2012, 07:54 AM

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.

Quote:

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 · Nov 30, 2012, 07:55 AM

about damn time!

izyreal · Nov 30, 2012, 07:57 AM

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

HobeSoundDarryl · Nov 30, 2012, 07:59 AM

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.

iapplelove · Nov 30, 2012, 08:00 AM

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

KirkL · Nov 30, 2012, 08:04 AM

Quote:

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.

chriscrk · Nov 30, 2012, 08:05 AM

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).

PracticalMac · Nov 30, 2012, 08:09 AM

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

HobeSoundDarryl · Nov 30, 2012, 08:12 AM

Quote:

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.

KdParker · Nov 30, 2012, 08:33 AM

That is going to be on hell of a launch day.

So many products at once.

kalsta · Nov 30, 2012, 08:37 AM

Quote:

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?

chaoskun · Nov 30, 2012, 08:51 AM

Quote:

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".

kcamfork · Nov 30, 2012, 08:52 AM

Quote:

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 · Nov 30, 2012, 08:53 AM

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

everything-i · Nov 30, 2012, 09:00 AM

Quote:

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.

----------

Quote:

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 · Nov 30, 2012, 09:04 AM

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

HobeSoundDarryl · Nov 30, 2012, 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kcamfork

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

Quote:

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?

Thunderhawks · Nov 30, 2012, 09:14 AM

Quote:

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!

j.applewood · Nov 30, 2012, 09:26 AM

Quote:

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.

Allenbf · Nov 30, 2012, 09:31 AM

Who cares? Where are the iMacs and iTunes 11?!

Oh wait...we did that already...

----------

Quote:

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.

Actually, with Apple now offering an unlocked iPhone 5, I think that pretty much says they're catching up with demand and feel they're able to produce enough.

ogun7 · Nov 30, 2012, 09:35 AM

Quote:

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!

PracticalMac · Nov 30, 2012, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chaoskun

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

Thanks! Happy to know I made a good estimate.

I had a Japanese Kanji dictionary on my iPhone, and I made an assumption those kanji where close in meaning to Chinese ones (not all are).

JHankwitz · Nov 30, 2012, 10:00 AM

Quote:

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.

haruhiko · Nov 30, 2012, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PracticalMac

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

It is a translation of "Every inch an iPad"

分 "fen" is a traditional Chinese length measurement unit
寸 "cun" is longer than 分, which is similar to an "inch" in imperial units.

"fen fen cun cun" means "Every fen and cun" ~"Every inch"

HiRez · Nov 30, 2012, 01:15 PM

It's funny to hear about Apple products "arriving" in China, since most of us are waiting for them to leave there when we track our packages.

Nov 30, 2012, 08:00 AM	#5
iapplelove macrumors 6502a Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: East Coast USA	the Chinese black market is gonna take a hit. maybe that also means less scalpers in US lines. __________________ 15" MBP 2012 ,4gb ram,500gb hd iphone 5 64gb ipad 3 64gb ipod nano apple tv 3rd gen
	0

Nov 30, 2012, 08:09 AM	#8
PracticalMac macrumors 68000 Join Date: Jan 2009	Chinese characters are "Part, Part, inch, inch". I guess it is Apples way of saying Mini. __________________ FireWire 1394 Intelligent network guaranteed data transfer, 1500mA power, Ethernet compatible Read: 160 files, 650MB total, *FW400 70% faster* then USB2** Write: 160 files, 650MB total, FW400 48% faster
	0

Nov 30, 2012, 08:33 AM	#10
KdParker macrumors 68000 Join Date: Oct 2010	That is going to be on hell of a launch day. So many products at once. __________________ 16g iPhone5 Black ; 16g iPhone5 White; 15" retina - MBP 2.6 GHZ 16 RAM; iPad4 retina
	0

Nov 30, 2012, 01:15 PM	#25
HiRez macrumors 68040 Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Western US	It's funny to hear about Apple products "arriving" in China, since most of us are waiting for them to leave there when we track our packages. __________________ Go outside, the graphics are amazing!
	0

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Nov 30, 2012, 07:55 AM	#2
kingping14 macrumors member Join Date: Apr 2010	about damn time!
	1

Nov 30, 2012, 07:57 AM	#3
izyreal macrumors member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: USA	I hope this means that the supply chains for these devices are rock solid now.
	1

Nov 30, 2012, 07:59 AM	#4
HobeSoundDarryl macrumors 68030 Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Hobe Sound, FL (20 miles north of Palm Beach)	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.
	0

Nov 30, 2012, 08:05 AM	#7
chriscrk macrumors regular Join Date: Nov 2011	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).
	5

Nov 30, 2012, 08:53 AM	#14
UmbraDiaboli macrumors member Join Date: Jun 2012	They can't even keep up with demand in the Western world and already decide to launch it in China... GREED.
	0

Nov 30, 2012, 09:04 AM	#16
M-O macrumors 6502 Join Date: Mar 2011	Are Apple Stores in China like Build-A-Bear Workshops?
	0