China Mobile pre-orders for Apple's iPhone 5S, and 5C smartphones have recorded sales numbers below China Unicom's 150,000, and China Telecom's 120,000 Investors Business Daily reported Monday.
"We think China Mobile's pre-orders for Apple's iPhone 5S/5C reached about 100K (with contract) in the first two days since pre-orders started, compared with 120K pre-orders from China Unicom (CHU) and 150K pre-orders from China Telecom (CHA) back in September," Jun Zhang an analyst at Wedge Partners told Investors Business Daily. "Unlocked iPhone 5S pre-orders added another 150K in the first day, compared to 400-500K pre-orders when the unlocked iPhone 5S initially launched in China in September. It is clear that China Mobile's pre-order activities have affected other channels' iPhone 5S/5C sales," Zhang told Investors Business Daily. "Specifically, we believe iPhone 5S/5C sales dropped about 35% since China Mobile announced its iPhone deal from the week that pre-orders started."
The iPhone will officially be available on China Mobile Jan. 17. Apple declared a deal with the company Dec. 22.
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.
