After a rumored report Dec. 5, Apple's iPhone 5C, and iPhone 5S are coming to China Mobile Jan. 17.
The smartphones will be available in China Mobile stores, and Apple Stores in the country InformationWeek reported Monday. Consumers can order then beforehand starting Wednesday.
"Apple has enormous respect for China Mobile and we are excited to begin working together. China is an extremely important market for Apple and our partnership with China Mobile presents us the opportunity to bring iPhone to the customers of the world's largest network," Tim Cook, Apple CEO told InformationWeek. "iPhone customers in China are an enthusiastic and rapidly growing group, and we can't think of a better way to welcome in the Chinese New Year than getting an iPhone into the hands of every China Mobile customer who wants one."
China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology gave 4G licenses to China Mobile, China Unicom, and China Telecom in early December. This has led to the company being able to offer the smartphone.
The acquisition creates the opportunity for Apple to become a part of Apple's vast list of subscribers that is seven times the size than its competitor Verizon, the most prominent mobile company size wise.
China Mobile and Apple have discussed joining forces to offer products over the years. Apple was hesitant to bring its iPhone product to the mobile carrier's 3G system.
The iPhone 5C is $100 less expensive than the premium 5S with an initial price at $649 for the 16 gigabyte model.
Apple predicts it will sell 33 million to 36 million new iPhones during the fourth fiscal quarter also known as the holiday quarter in a projection that could top 50 million.
The company's next device, due out in the second fiscal quarter of 2014 is expected to have a 4.8 inch display, 0.8 larger.
