Apple's new iPhones launched in China via US replay

Just hours after introducing the new iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C at its Cupertino headquarters, Apple hosted its event for the China market. According to FT, the access to the Beijing event was tightly restricted and appeared to be a replay of the earlier announcement. Moreover, there was no word on the highly speculated China Mobile deal. However, it is highly speculated that Apple could announce the partnership anytime shortly.

Apple had already sent out separate invites for fans in China. While “C” could stand for colour, many Chinese fans believe it stands for China. The unsubsidized 16GB iPhone 5C is being offered at 4,488 yuan ($733 or approximately Rs 46,000) in China, the price is barely less than 5,000 yuan at which the iPhone 5 was introduced. 

All colours of the 5C

The price for the iPhone 5C appears to be way higher than 3,000 yuan which was earlier predicted by analysts. Reportedly, carriers have yet to announce subsidized packages for the phone. But it is believed that even a subsidized device could still fail to reach the majority of China’s urban consumers, according to Wall Street Journal and based on income distribution data from research firm CEIC Data.

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Apple’s all-plastic ‘budget’ iPhone 5C sports a 4-inch Retina display. It is armed with an A6 chip and also has an 8-megapixel iSight camera. As expected it is available in a range of colours, including blue, green, pink, yellow and white. On the other hand, the iPhone 5S features an all-new A7 chip, 8 megapixel iSight camera, dual LED flash, a fingerprint scanner and up to 13 LTE  wireless bands. Both iPhones will be available later this month, while an India launch could take place later this year.