Apple reaches deal to bring iPhone to China Mobile, world’s biggest phone carrier

CP26570476
FILE - In this Friday, Sept. 20, 2013, file photo, Chinese employees cheer a customer after he bought a new iPhone at an Apple store in Wangfujing shopping district in Beijing. Apple says Sunday, Dec. 22, 2013, it has reached a deal to bring the iPhone to China Mobile, the world’s biggest phone carrier. (AP Photo/Andy Wong, File)

NEW YORK, N.Y. – Apple says it has reached a deal to bring the iPhone to China Mobile, the world’s biggest phone carrier.

The deal could boost sales of the iPhone in China. Demand for iPhones, once hugely popular in China, have slumped there as lower-priced rival smartphones from Samsung and Chinese companies entered the market.

The iPhone 5s and 5c will go on sale in Apple stores and China Mobil stores beginning Friday, Jan. 17. Customers can register for phones starting Wednesday Dec. 25.

The companies didn’t announce pricing or the terms of their agreement.

The iPhone, while popular around the world, has faced tough competition in recent years from cheaper smartphones running Google’s Android software. Collectively, Android phones far outsell Apple’s iPhone.

State-owned China Mobile has more than 750 million mobile accounts.

News from © The Associated Press, . All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Join the Conversation!

Want to share your thoughts, add context, or connect with others in your community?

Create a free account

The Associated Press

The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting. Founded in 1846, AP today remains the most trusted source of fast, accurate, unbiased news in all formats and the essential provider of the technology and services vital to the news business. More than half the world’s population sees AP journalism every day.

Related Articles