China Unicom iPhone 5s, iPhone 5c Reservations Pass 100,000 Handsets
by Joe White
September 17, 2013
Though a deal with China's largest carrier, China Mobile, still hasn't been confirmed, China Unicom recently announced that reservations for Apple's iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c recently passed 100,000 handsets.
As a reminder, this is the first time Apple's next-generation iPhone is launching in China on the same day it becomes available in the United States. In an attempt to combat "scalpers" (professionals who stand in line on launch day, purchase iPhone handsets, and sell them on at an inflated price), Apple recently announced that for China only, iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c reservations are available for customers. These are set to launch from Sept. 17, and allow customers in China to preorder a next-generation iPhone handset for in-store pickup on Sept. 20.
China Unicom, however, has been taking reservations for the iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c since the smartphones were announced last week, and preorders for the handsets have now passed 100,000 units.
The news comes from Bloomberg, who reports:
China Unicom, the nation's second-largest wireless carrier, said online reservations for Apple Inc.'s new iPhone 5C and 5S have passed 100,000 units since the devices were unveiled last week. China Unicom, which announced the volume of registrations on its official account with Sina Corp.'s Weibo microblog, hasn't disclosed pricing plans for the handsets which are due to go on sale Sept. 20.China Telecom, too, is confirmed to be carrying both handsets in China. However, as mentioned, no official deal with China Mobile, which boasts more than 700 million subscribers, has been announced. That being said, Apple has now officially licensed its iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c with China Mobile's network, indicating that such a deal could indeed be in the pipeline. Though it seems that the official availability of a China Mobile-powered iPhone in time for this Friday, Sept. 20, is becoming increasingly unlikely. We'll keep you updated with further information as we receive it. In the meantime, see: Tell Them About The New Trends: Apple Airs Colorful TV Ad For iPhone 5c, Further Details About Infinity Blade III Revealed In New Extended Video, and Facebook Messenger Satisfies Need For Speed With Improved Switching And Scrolling.