Now,
more than ever, analysts say Apple must get it right most populous
country in the world, where it ranks only sixth in annual smartphone
sales Samsung Electronics remains the runaway leader.Apple
has the best plan of attack to secure a deal with the country by far
the best mobile carrier, China Mobile Ltd. It also pushed the
development of more local apps and installment financing extended to expensive smartphones within the reach of the urban populace average annual income of just $ 3,500.But it should resist the temptation to just put out a cheaper iPhone, say some analysts. Could
introduce a long-rumored lower-cost versions of the gadget backfire by
diluting premium brand Apple - one of the most valuable assets."If
you think of Apple, it looks like a bright star in the galaxy, shining
brightly and everyone is looking at it. Yet it could be dimmed a bit
because other stars such as Samsung have popped up," said TZ Wong, an analyst at research firm IDC."I do not think that the Apple's interest to further dim the star power by stepping into the low-end segment."Apple
product pipeline with the same state secrets protection given zeal,
some analysts are focusing instead on what they need to make the
world's largest technology company to finally become a major player in
the world economy No. 2.While
iPhone sales jumped 60 percent last quarter, investors worry that, in
the long run, the company has its own pricing golden opportunity by
Samsung and local rivals Huawei Technologies Co Ltd to ZTE blanket the
market with cheaper phones rival the iPhone in quality and usability.The
deal with China Mobile, the world's largest mobile phone carrier with
over 700 million users, creating instrumental but analysts say that can
not happen until the issuing of 4G wireless, which may occur more later this year or even in 2014."The
competitive landscape is definitely cranked up a few notches from a
year ago. Therefore, there is greater urgency for Apple to explore ways
to grow," said Wong CIR.CEO
Tim Cook made it no secret that China is an area of intense focus on
the iPad and iPhone maker, especially because the penetration is still
low across the country of smartphones and tablets. Apple
has said that it will continue to expand its retail network, and in
January, Cook flew to Beijing for a time at least the second year, to
meet with key carrier China Mobile.IS A STAR dimmedOn
Wednesday, Apple missed revenue forecasts for the third quarter just
after iPhone sales came in below expectations, fanning fears that
dominate of slipping consumer electronics.Apple
revenue in China, including Hong Kong and Taiwan neighboring,
7300000000 total of $ in the December quarter, up 60 percent from the
previous year.But there are signs Apple that Cachet claimed the most populous nation in the world obsolete.Recent
product launches for the iPad and iPhone 5 mini to draw relatively
subdued response from the consumers of China, in stark contrast to the
fist-fights and egg hurling at Beijing store a year ago when sales were
delayed iPhone 4S.Since
the iPhone 5 went on sale in mid-December, transactions fall half, by
the Taobao Index, the consumer research website details the Internet
giant Alibaba Group.The
iPhone is also losing out as consumers opt for larger screen to watch
Chinese soap operas while traveling on trains or affordable smartphones
in the sub-1, 000 Yuan category ($ 160) made local vendors."When
I started using the larger screen, there was no turning back for me.
Smaller screens do not work more," said a business executive surnamed
Wen, as he swiped the screen on Samsung Galaxy Note during lunch in Beijing.About
half of the more than 60 million smartphones shipped in China in the
third quarter last year was more than 4 inches screen, based on the
latest IDC figures. The iPhone 5 comes with 4-inch screen, while the the Note Galaxy II 5.5 inch screen.In
addition, there are local vendors Coolpad smartphone maker Yulong
Computer Telecommunication Scientific (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd, which offers
cheaper options, and Meizu Technology Co., Ltd, known for its
minimalist design, seen on a legion of growing followers.Price
is the key factor, especially in the Chinese market where about 80
percent of the more than one billion mobile phone users are still on 2G
networks.Taobao
website online, Coolpads and low-end models made by Huawei Technologies
Co. Ltd. and ZTE Corp. are selling less than 1,000 yuan, the sweet spot
for many consumers switch from basic phones to smartphones.Apple
has moved to address that, in partnership with China Merchants Bank to
provide financing and installment options so buyers can pay by credit
card when shopping online bank, said media reports .Finally,
an increase in the number of applications customized for China help
Apple market share growth, but could more intensive cooperation with
Chinese companies such as Baidu Inc. and Tencent Holdings Ltd. are
required"Consumers
will certainly welcome closer cooperation between Apple and Chinese
high-tech firms to customize the iPhone for using apps like with
Tencent WeChat," said Frederick Wong, executive director of Avant
Capital Management (Hong Kong) Ltd, a fund that invests in Apple-related options.
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