Apple struck a long-awaited distribution deal on Sunday night with China Mobile, a partnership worth billions of dollars in extra iPhone revenues that finally opens up the largest mobile market to the world’s most valuable technology company.
The iPhone 5s and 5c, Apple’s most recent smartphones, will go on sale on January 17 in China Mobile’s retail stores for the first time. No pricing for the iPhone or release date for the iPad was announced.
The deal had been aided by the Chinese government’s grant of 4G network licences to its three main telecoms carriers, which boost the compatibility of the iPhone with China Mobile’s networks and were finalised in early December. Shares in Apple have rallied more than 20 per cent in the past three months in anticipation.