Apple Issues Invitations for September 11 Beijing Media Event as China Mobile Speculation Heightens [Updated]

Following its distribution of media invitations for its September 10 iPhone event yesterday, Apple sent out a second batch of invitations to members of the Chinese media for a separate event in Beijing, according to Sina [Google Translate]. The design of the invitation matches that of the one sent out for Apple's Cupertino event, although it is unclear whether the Beijing event will cover separate China-specific announcements such as a rumored China Mobile deal or if it will simply be a recap of Cupertino event. The Beijing event takes place at 10:00 AM local time, nine hours after Apple's Cupertino event begins.

apple_chinese_media_event
Apple's Cupertino event is expected to see that launch of a new flagship iPhone 5S and a lower-cost iPhone 5C that will have internal components similar to the iPhone 5 encased in new colored plastic shells. In a report last month, the iPhone 5C was projected to give Apple a "huge boost" in China, with its lower cost making it an attractive choice for the market.

A potential deal between Apple and China Mobile has reportedly been in the works for some time, with Apple CEO Tim Cook and China Mobile CEO Xi Guohua reportedly meeting in July to discuss the matter. Last month, Mr. Xi told Reuters that "both sides sounded keen" during recent talks, adding that he was optimistic about a potential deal.

Additionally, a report from late last month claimed that the iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C will launch in China on November 28, more than two months later than the expected launch of the phones in the first wave of markets. The delay would be due to the verification process by China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology that all new devices must go through.

Update: AllThingsD reports that the Beijing event is simply one of three satellite gatherings related to the main event in Cupertino, with other gatherings taking place in Berlin and Tokyo. The Beijing event will presumably occur nine hours after the Cupertino event to offer a more reasonably timed alternative to the live event, which will take place at 1:00 AM Beijing time.

These satellite launches will be held in Berlin, Tokyo and Beijing, and will feature a video stream or replay of the Cupertino event along with some other content. They’re not an entirely new occurrence; Apple has done them before in London and Tokyo. That said, this is the first time the company has ever held a satellite launch event in China, one of its most important markets.

Related Forum: iPhone

Popular Stories

iPhone 17 Pro in Hand Feature Lowgo

iPhone 17 Pro Coming Soon With These 14 New Features

Friday July 4, 2025 1:05 pm PDT by
Apple's next-generation iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are just over two months away, and there are plenty of rumors about the devices. Below, we recap key changes rumored for the iPhone 17 Pro models. Latest Rumors These rumors surfaced in June and July:Apple logo repositioned: Apple's logo may have a lower position on the back of the iPhone 17 Pro models, compared to previous...
iphone 16 pro models 1

Here's How the iPhone 17 Pro Max Will Compare to the iPhone 17 Pro

Saturday July 5, 2025 1:00 pm PDT by
Apple should unveil the iPhone 17 series in September, and there might be one bigger difference between the Pro and Pro Max models this year. As always, the Pro Max model will be larger than the Pro model:iPhone 17 Pro: 6.3-inch display iPhone 17 Pro Max: 6.9-inch displayGiven the Pro Max is physically larger than the Pro, it has more internal space, allowing for a larger battery and...
iPhone Car Key Kia

Here's Which Vehicles Offer iPhone Car Keys

Sunday July 6, 2025 3:03 pm PDT by
In 2020, Apple added a digital car key feature to its Wallet app, allowing users to lock, unlock, and start a compatible vehicle with an iPhone or Apple Watch. The feature is currently offered by select automakers, including Audi, BMW, Hyundai, Kia, Genesis, Mercedes-Benz, Volvo, and a handful of others, and it is set to expand further. Apple has a web page with a list of vehicle models that ...
imac video apple feature

Apple Launching These 15+ Products Later This Year

Sunday July 6, 2025 8:05 am PDT by
The calendar has turned to July, meaning that 2025 is now more than half over. And while the summer months are often quiet for Apple, the company still has more than a dozen products coming later this year, according to rumors. Below, we have outlined at least 15 new Apple products that are expected to launch later this year, along with key rumored features for each. iPhone 17 Series iPho...
iOS 26 Feature

Everything New in iOS 26 Beta 3

Monday July 7, 2025 1:20 pm PDT by
Apple is continuing to refine and update iOS 26, and beta three features smaller changes than we saw in beta 2, plus further tweaks to the Liquid Glass design. Apple is gearing up for the next phase of beta testing, and the company has promised that a public beta is set to come out in July. Transparency In some apps like Apple Music, Podcasts, and the App Store, Apple has toned down the...
iPhone 17 Pro in Hand Feature Lowgo

iPhone 17 Pro to Reverse iPhone X Design Decision

Monday July 7, 2025 9:46 am PDT by
Since the iPhone X in 2017, all of Apple's highest-end iPhone models have featured either stainless steel or titanium frames, but it has now been rumored that this design decision will be coming to an end with the iPhone 17 Pro models later this year. In a post on Chinese social media platform Weibo today, the account Instant Digital said that the iPhone 17 Pro models will have an aluminum...
iphone 17 pro render majin bu

New iPhone 17 Pro Renders Highlight Apple Logo and MagSafe Design Changes

Sunday July 6, 2025 8:43 pm PDT by
New renders today provide the best look yet relocated Apple logo and redesigned MagSafe magnet array of the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max. Image via Majin Bu. Several of the design changes coming to the iPhone 17 Pro model have been rumored for some time, such as the elongated camera bump that spans the full width of the device, with the LiDAR Scanner and flash moving to the right side. ...
Prime Day 25 Feature Warm Triad

The Best Early Prime Day Deals on Apple Products

Saturday July 5, 2025 7:22 am PDT by
Amazon is soon to be back with its annual summertime Prime Day event, lasting for four days from July 8-11, the longest Prime Day yet. As it does every year, Prime Day offers shoppers a huge selection of deals across Amazon's storefront, and there are already many deals you can get on sale ahead of the event. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a link and make a ...
airpods pro 2

AirPods Pro 3 to Help Maintain Apple's Place in Earbud Market Amid Increasing Low-Cost Competition

Thursday July 3, 2025 7:25 am PDT by
Apple's position as the dominant force in the global true wireless stereo (TWS) earbud market is expected to continue through 2025, according to Counterpoint Research. The forecast outlines a 3% year-over-year increase in global TWS unit shipments for 2025, signaling a transition from rapid growth to a more mature phase for the category. While Apple is set to remain the leading brand by...

Top Rated Comments

AngerDanger Avatar
155 months ago
Oddly enough, the colored dots are in different positions.

Apple really are all about the money.
I thought Apple existed solely for my benefit… :(
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Sky Blue Avatar
155 months ago
This guy will be presenting:

Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
foodog Avatar
155 months ago
Apple really are all about the money.

I know its crazy... a for profit company is trying to make money....

In other news the Dead Sea is very salty....
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TC03 Avatar
155 months ago
Maybe the iPhone 5C is for certain markets only.

"C" as in China?
No, cannibalization of the high-end model by low-end models (iPhone 4 vs. iPhone 5) is a worldwide trend. Even in the US the iPhone 4 is still very popular, much more popular than the 3GS ever was in its hay days.

----------

Champagne-colored iPhone exclusivity
Why does everyone assume that Apple wants to keep stuff exclusive for China? That makes no sense at all.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ValSalva Avatar
155 months ago
Apple is going after market share. China is a good place to start :D
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
juanmanas Avatar
155 months ago
iPhone 5Cheap!

I must have read this joke like 200 times already
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)