Sinceprevious reportsseemingly nailed the next-gen iPhone event date, it’s safe to assume the predicted launch date is also accurate. Apple’s next smartphone is expected to go on sale in the US on September 21st. When the handset will launch elsewhere, however, is still unknown.
Last year, the iPhone 4S launched Stateside in October, but it didn’t hit some major markets like China until a good three months later. But according to a new report, that won’t be the case this year. Industry insiders say that China Unicom will have the handset by December…
TheNextWebpasses along a report fromSohu IT, who spoke with employees of China’s second largest carrier regardingthe next-generation iPhone. And they believe the handset will debut in the country before the year is over. Here’s an excerpt from the article [translated]:
“It is reported that China Unicom United States negotiating team led by Li Gang, deputy general manager of China Unicom, Unicom’s marketing general manager Zhou Alliance and China Unicom Huasheng general manager quarter Wei and other relevant personnel to travel together. Unicom “smart city” strategy conference held yesterday, Zhou Alliance unveiled to attend, but did not directly respond to Sohu IT issues such as the introduction of iPhone 5. However, Unicom internal staff revealed that the “Gang sum week total just returned Unicom introduced iPhone 5 does not have any suspense, the time should be in the year.”
A pre-holiday next-gen iPhone launch in China would be a big deal for Apple, as it continues tostruggle to gain smartphone marketsharein the country. Typically, device launches are delayed in China due to strict government approval processes, which usually dampens the hype.
Hopefully, we’ll get some of these questions answered atApple’s iPhone eventnext week.
