Samsung to launch new phone in China before Apple

Samsung Electronics said its latest Galaxy Note 4 smartphone will go on sale in China and South Korea later this month as its flagging mobile business tries to defend sales from Apple’s new iPhones.

Samsung said all three South Korean mobile operators will begin Galaxy Note 4 sales on Friday. All three Chinese mobile carriers will release the new phone before the end of this month, it said.

Samsung’s announcement marks the first time the South Korean company has released a flagship smartphone in China before other major overseas markets.

Apple’s iPhone 6 has yet to arrive in China. But Apple still chalked up 10 million sales of the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus models in the first three days after the phones went on sale.

Samsung’s early move in China comes as the South Korean company faces challenges on multiple fronts. Its profit from the crucial mobile business has flagged and local brands in India and China have dented its sales of cheap phones.

Apple’s new iPhone 6 with its larger screen than previous models eliminates at key advantage for Samsung that lured buyers with the big screens of its Galaxy phones.