China Unicom Reports Only 5,000 New iPhone Users Since Launch
Reuters reports that China Unicom has signed up only 5,000 iPhone users since the device's official launch there late last week. Despite the apparent poor performance of the iPhone, China Unicom Chairman Chang Xiobing remains upbeat about the iPhone, as well as the broader rollout of it 3G network, which has already signed up 1 million customers.
Concerns over the lack of Wi-Fi functionality on the initial China-specific iPhone and relatively high prices compared with many other countries had been seen as a challenge for the company, with many users interested in the device likely instead opting for fully-functional unlocked iPhones imported from other countries.
"We are satisified with iPhone sales so far, and we aim to have an additional 1 million new 3G subscribers each month in the near future," he said.
Xiobing also told reporters that the iPhone would help boost China Unicom's revenue for the fourth quarter, although the company will see increased costs due to iPhone subsidies and advertising, leading to decreased profit margins.Concerns over the lack of Wi-Fi functionality on the initial China-specific iPhone and relatively high prices compared with many other countries had been seen as a challenge for the company, with many users interested in the device likely instead opting for fully-functional unlocked iPhones imported from other countries.
Top Rated Comments
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30 months ago
Lack of Wi-Fi killed it, especially with consumers there knowing that a Wi-Fi capable phone is coming soon. It's like trying to sell a car that only runs on bicycle pedals.
30 months ago
If you take into account that it took Apple over 200 days to sell 5 Mio iPhones in the US, these numbers look quite impressive.
Edit: My bad. They are talking about five thousand units. wtf?
Edit: My bad. They are talking about five thousand units. wtf?
30 months ago
It's just too expensive.
Plus, probably anyone who wants one already picked one up off the black market.
30 months ago
Lack of Wi-Fi killed it, especially with consumers there knowing that a Wi-Fi capable phone is coming soon. It's like trying to sell a car that only runs on bicycle pedals.
Correct. It would kill iPhone without wifi even here in US/Europe where 3G is spread widely. Main factors for poor selling performance there are:
1. Lack of wifi
2. High price
3. Lack of 3G
4. Existence of iPhone clones in China
30 months ago
Well......that's what happens when you launch a crippled product at a more expensive price.....especially in a market where everyone can find a imported full version of the product elsewhere. If I had got the same crippled version that these guys got I would surely be looking for an iPhone somewhere else.
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