Apple's new iPhone 6s, 6s Plus could further boost 4G network adoption in China as buyers are 'immune to economic conditions'
Apple, the third-largest smartphone supplier in mainland China, expects to continue supporting the growth of 4G network users in the country with the impending release of its latest iPhone models there on September 25.
Mainland China, Hong Kong and 10 other countries will be the first markets where the new iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus will be made available by Apple later this month. Pre-orders start on Saturday.
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A report by technology research firm IDC on Thursday said the negative economic situation in China will not have a direct impact on sales of the new iPhone models because of the kinds of consumers who want these devices.
“These groups are immune to economic conditions,” IDC senior market analyst Tay Xiaohan said. The analyst said these buyers are also not keen on switching to the Android mobile platform even though Chinese brands, such as Xiaomi and Huawei Technologies, are selling more premium models.
Bernstein Research senior analyst Chris Lane told the South China Morning Post that the new iPhone models could prove an upside for China Mobile, China Unicom and China Telecom in terms of enticing more 3G subscribers to upgrade to 4G.