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iPhone 5 launches in China, late and expensive. Chinese say 'meh'

We saw 'em while we were making 'em. No thanks

The iPhone 5 has finally launched in China, but reaction has been lukewarm.

Launching their fastest-selling product ever in the world's biggest market is an opportunity for Apple to clock up major sales. And Apple need to maintain global market share against Android, which took 75 percent of smartphone sales in the last three months.

However the initial signs at the launch of the iPhone 5 in China this morning were less than encouraging. At the Apple outlet in upscale Beijing retail mall Sanlitun, there was a queue of two, and a snowman, the Wall Street Journal reported. It contrasts to previous Apple launches which saw mini riots and eggs thrown as frustrated customers were unable to buy the Apple products they wanted to.

This woman was keen to make cash to buy the flagship phone. But Apple will need this enthusiasm to be nationwide if it wants to do make significant gains in the country.

The Want China Times focussed on the cost hike for Chinese consumers (English language Want China Times highlighted the 23% mark up) and the likelihood of the next version of the iPhone - a potential 5S - coming out within the next six months.

It could be that Apple will have to treat the world's biggest market a bit better in terms of the dates and prices if it wants to get a foothold there. ®

Re: Apple Share Price ....

A lot less than the $200 it has lost since the launch of the iPhone 5.

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Re: Why the subtitle?

>I can understand fanboyism from commenters but the sour grapes doesn't look very good coming from a supposedly professional IT journo.

Tonight's Now Show - BBC R4 [20 mins or so in] - just demolished the iPhone and iOS6 - not exactly a hot bed of technical evangelism. Apple's free ride in the media is definitely over, don't kid yourself it's a Register thing.

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Re: Strange pricing

Simple, the most expensive, the more exclusive idiots think it is...

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Re: Apple Share Price ....

@dx

AAPL Stock Price on Jan 1st, 2012: $401.44 (Adjusted Close)

AAPL Stock Price on Dec 13, 2012: $529.69 (Adjusted Close)

Total gain: $128.25 per share for the year to date.

iPhone 5 released 21 Sep 2012. AAPL Stock price on that day was $696.91 (Adjusted close)

As shown above, AAPL stock closed yesterday at $529.69. Total loss per share since iPhone5 intro of $167.22

Given there are 940.69 million shares, that loss equates to $157,302,181,800. 157 Billion dollars is one quarter of their company value gone in two months. I see no reason why the stock price will not continue to decline as their customer base dries up.

Source: http://ca.finance.yahoo.com/q/hp?s=AAPL + http://www.google.com/finance?cid=22144

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Apple announced they sold 2 million iPhone 5's in China in 3 days.

http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2012/12/16iPhone-5-First-Weekend-Sales-in-China-Top-Two-Million.html

So much for 'meh'. Give the bullshit a rest.

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