China Unicom wants iPhone, too?

If Steve Jobs dreams of anything other than cubes or the The Beatles on iTunes, it's this: China's largest carriers in a tussle for rights to sell the iPhone. We're talking about a population of some 1 billion-strong who favor BlackBerrys for their sound quality and good looks. In an apparent response to the reported talks between China Mobile and Apple, Li Zhengmao, executive director and vice president of rival China Unicom is quoted by Dow Jones as saying, "It seems that iPhone is hot in some markets. We are willing to discuss with Apple." Direct talks with Apple, however, have not begun. Mind you, those same remarks were captured somewhat differently by Reuters. They quote Li Zhengmao as saying, "Right now, we don't have any plans to introduce Apple's iPhones in China. But of course, we're always willing to discuss a good business opportunity if it presents itself. As for whether we'll talk about iPhones with Apple, you'll have to ask Apple." Still, given that the talks have just begun, it's doubtful that Apple will reach a deal similar to those struck in Europe and the US any time soon. Wouldn't it be interesting though, if Apple released the iPhone in China before Meizu's M8 MiniOne clone ever hit the streets?

Read -- Dow Jones quote
Read -- Reuters

[SteveJ @ Nov 14th 2007 8:07AM]

Just for fun, Apple should manufacturer the iPhones heading to China in New Jersey.

[Jagannath A @ Nov 14th 2007 9:27AM]

yeah business is just for fun :P

[Luke D @ Nov 14th 2007 8:22AM]

Haha, I just noticed the iPhones are pictured upside down.

[MarvinJ @ Nov 14th 2007 8:22AM]

Out of Stupid Curiosity... Why is the image upsidedown?

[Constable Odo @ Nov 14th 2007 8:36AM]

It's the new cool way of using an iPhone. Since they did it on Bionic Woman, everyone is starting to use the iPhone upside down. It's like wearing a baseball cap backwards in order to make it into a "rally cap".
http://forums.appleinsider.com/showthread.php?t=81069

[Thomas Ricker @ Nov 14th 2007 8:39AM]

@MarvinJ,

Ha, because I don't own an iPhone. Fixed.

Thomas

[will @ Nov 14th 2007 8:33AM]

If Apple refuses, then maybe China will make a knock off of the iPhone and we can finally get a more open platform (just don't eat or lick the imitation iPhone).

[D.L. @ Nov 14th 2007 8:45AM]

Where do you think the real iPhones are made now?

[Hollywood Ron @ Nov 14th 2007 9:15AM]

If I pay $400 for a phone, it'd better get me high if I lick it, and it'd better taste like candy.

[Constable Odo @ Nov 14th 2007 8:41AM]

Okay, my Chinese brothers. It's time to chuck your BlackBerrys and grab onto an iPhone. I hear the Chinese prefer status over function (this has been mentioned in several articles), so the iPhone is far better suited for you.

[Jamar @ Nov 14th 2007 10:13AM]

Yep- they're already on sale in China, unlocked and jailbroken (the local vendors and Apple resellers are very competitive- this is one kind of value-add they do to attract customers). Oh, and data is reasonably priced here too- I can get unlimited data for $13/month- 3x that will get me unlimited international data (minutes and texts are on a metered basis, though- $.02/min voice and $.01/text). America really needs to either kick down their prices a notch or have better services/phones.

[ekwmin @ Nov 14th 2007 12:18PM]

Um.... When people say that phone plans are inexpensive in China, do they take into account what the average Chinese person makes vs. what the average American person makes?

[Chrtis Drumgoole @ Nov 14th 2007 8:54PM]

Thank you, ekwmin, for speaking some sense.

$13/month plan is not cheap for the average Chinese.

Us foreigners who live in China need to step outside of our little bubble once and a while.

[Big Fat Eric is Yelling @ Nov 14th 2007 8:43AM]

I think Meizu is screwed.

they should be anyway

bunch of liers

disgrace of chinese comunity

[Tony @ Nov 14th 2007 12:28PM]

Because

we

all

like

to type

like

this.

[bfishadow @ Nov 14th 2007 8:58AM]

Dude, you've got the wrong name. It's Li Zhengmao not Li Zhehgmao. Messed up with n and h, it's not your fault. This Mr. Li is vice president of China Unicom.

[chris26 @ Nov 14th 2007 1:06PM]

Why are the boxing gloves upside-down?!?!

[D3R3K @ Nov 14th 2007 11:04AM]

I guarantee you Apple will bend some rules in order to do business in China. A lot of corporations are influenced by gov, and it's quite hard to please those folks. In the case of MS, they allowed pirated software to be used over there... which is a double standard since they're so anal about it here.

[August Young @ Nov 14th 2007 11:26AM]

Why would anyone in a 3g market want a crappy Iphone that isnt even a good 2.5g....
People are stuipd

[Big Fat Eric is Yelling @ Nov 14th 2007 12:46PM]

china is 2.5 g atm u d.a.

[Ram @ Nov 14th 2007 5:08PM]

Isn't China Unicom CDMA?

[Jamar @ Nov 14th 2007 7:28PM]

They're CDMA/GSM. They're the only country to sell unlocked dual-mode phones.

[Chris D @ Nov 14th 2007 9:00PM]

Allow me to properly answer your question as Jamar wasn't very clear.

China Unicom has two networks - one GSM, one CDMA.
China Mobile, the larger service provider, only has GSM.

[Jackyshadow @ Nov 14th 2007 3:37PM]

well, according to China mobile regulations, mobile phones on the market MUST NOT have WiFi, I am wondering if they gonna sell WiFi-less iPhone or being the first Wifi capable mobile phone in China.

[RIMM Jobs @ Nov 14th 2007 8:42PM]

Can we get a poll of just how many girls in the U.S. have that China Unicom logo tattooed on their lower back?

[Ukarion @ Nov 17th 2007 6:05AM]

I would like to give a Hell no to China Unicom. Dont they have better phone over there than this? Phones that are way advanced than here or any other places besides Asia?