By Herman Lai, posted Nov 9, 2012 at 8:29 AM, 849 views,

China Carriers To Start Selling iPhone 5 As Early As 20th November

Screen Shot 2012-11-09 at 9.21.55 PM

After Apple’s new iPhone 5 has cleared the second-to-last hurdle standing in the way of its debut in China, everyone is waiting for China Unicom and China Telecom to begin selling the device by the Christmas and New Year holidays. Few days ago, it was confirmed that China Unicom will launch the iPhone 5 by 20th Nov, and China Telecom will arrive later than China Unicom in late November or early December.

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There are multiple plans offer by China Unicom. The 16GB version iPhone 5 is available for free if you signed a three year contract with 286 yuan (USD$46) per month with China Unicom, or the carrier also offers the device with a contract price at 5880 yuan (USD$948). As with China Telecom, the contract price of the 16GB iPhone 5 is at 5780 yuan (USD$932) or bundle with a three years contract with monthly payment of 289 (USD$47).

Meanwhile, China’s biggest consumer electronic retailers Suning and Gome will have the iPhone 5 for sales with the two Chinese carriers’ contract deals sometimes in the middle of December. And now, the two retailers have already accepted pre-orders across China.

Source: Reuters, Sohu (Chinese translated)

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  • http://twitter.com/c_mcmanus Christopher McManus

    Have bundles deals always been for three years or is that new?

    Also, any thoughts on why the prices in USD are so much higher than in the U.S. e.g. $948 vs. $659

    Thanks.. Great site

    • http://twitter.com/Herman_lai Herman

      Other than a three years contract plan, China Unicom and China Telecom both will offer two years contract plans as well.

      Maybe it is because of China’s network license fee and the taxes.

  • songsum

    overpriced junk

  • Ob Server

    What meas line below iphone5 ? 185? something? 185 phones available to sell?