Jane Leung
Jun 28, 2010

China Unicom enters talks with Apple for iPhone 4, iPad rights

BEIJING - China Unicom, the main iPhone service provider in China, has begun talks with Apple to introduce iPhone 4G and the iPad to the mainland market.

Apple iPhone 4
Apple iPhone 4

Apple has not confirmed any plans for the sales of the two new gadgets in China. However, if the deal goes through, iPad, and especially iPhone 4G, will face stiff competition from the gray market and domestic brands that already produce similar models.

The lock-down to use China Unicom and up-front payment with the service provider also posts a hesitation for users, even for the iPhone 3G users.

According to China Unicom, they sold a hundred thousand units of iPhone in 2009. This is a weak number compared to the 270 thousand units sold within the first 30 hours of launch in the States in 2007.

Apple will open a flagship store in Shanghai mid-July.

China Unicom currently holds a non-exclusive, three-year contract with Apple to sell the 3G iPhone in China.

Source:
Campaign China

Related Articles

Just Published

12 hours ago

Agency Report Card 2024: Ogilvy

Ogilvy APAC celebrated a strong creative year in 2024, clinching top regional honours at Cannes Lions. Yet operational headwinds, particularly in China, tested its resilience and reshaped its growth strategy.

12 hours ago

Campaign Global Agency of the Year Awards 2024: ...

Ogilvy and UM win global network of the year awards for creative and media respectively, while Special agency in New Zealand earns Asia-Pacific network of the year.

14 hours ago

Apple Watch’s heart story strikes a chord in Japan

Apple’s new Japan campaign tells the real-life story of a heavy metal fan whose Apple Watch alerts help detect a life-threatening heart condition just in time.

14 hours ago

2025 Cannes Contenders: RGA creatives weigh in

A ubiquitous surname, a sexually transmitted infection, the printing of memories and an animal god that helps gamers might all bring fame glory to campaigns in Cannes next week.