With the launch of Apple's eagerly anticipated iPhone 6 finally on the horizon for Chinese fans, the U.S. company's supply chain is geared up and ready to deal with any surge in demand from the world's largest smartphone market. The iPhone 6 and 6 Plus are slated for an Oct. 17 release on all three of China's wireless carriers, Apple said on Tuesday. The company fixed the date after addressing software security concerns raised by regulators, which delayed the launch in China beyond the Sept 19 of several other countries. Apple's suppliers said the delay did not have an impact on production, and are confident they can keep up with demand when the new, larger iPhone models hit China. Analysts expect the phones to prove very popular with many of the country's 1.27 billion mobile subscribers, for whom bigger iPhone screens have long been on their wish lists. Research firm Gartner projects Apple will sell 10 million iPhone 6 units per quarter in China, a market the U.S. smartphone maker has often slated as one of its most important.
IN-DEPTH
- Apple iPhone a Threat to National Security, China Says
- Opportunists Cash in on Delayed iPhone Launch in China
- Apple, China Mobile Strikes Deal to Bring iPhone to China in January
--- Reuters