China Mobile Finally Getting Apple iPhone in January

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By Christina Warren2013-12-22 22:49:57 UTC

The iPhone is officially coming to China Mobile, the world's largest wireless carrier, on Jan. 17, 2014.

Apple announced the news in a press release late Sunday, saying that the iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C will be available for pre-registration on China Mobile beginning Dec. 25.

See also: Apple iPhone 5S: A Great Phone Inches Toward Perfection

The 5S and 5C will be available in China Mobile's network of retail stores and at Apple retail stores across mainland China. The phones will work on China Mobile's 4G and 3G networks. Pricing details will be available at a later date.

In a statement, Apple CEO Tim Cook said:

Apple has enormous respect for China Mobile and we are excited to begin working together. China is an extremely important market for Apple and our partnership with China Mobile presents us the opportunity to bring iPhone to the customers of the world's largest network. iPhone customers in China are an enthusiastic and rapidly growing group, and we can't think of a better way to welcome in the Chinese New Year than getting an iPhone into the hands of every China Mobile customer who wants one.

China Mobile chairman Xi Guohua echoed Cook's sentiments, saying:

Apple's iPhone is very much loved by millions of customers around the world. We know there are many China Mobile customers and potential new customers who are anxiously awaiting the incredible combination of iPhone on China Mobile's leading network. We are delighted that iPhone on China Mobile will support our 4G/TD-LTE and 3G/TD-SCDMA networks, providing customers with high-speed mobile service.

China Mobile and Apple have been in active discussions for a number of years. Earlier this month, the Wall Street Journal reported that the two companies were close to finalizing the deal.

It's hard to understate just how much potential this deal has. China Mobile has a customer base of 760 million subscribers. Siphoning off even a fraction of that market could mean big things for Apple.

Customers in China who want to pre-register for an iPhone 5S or 5C on China Mobile can do so by visiting China Mobile's official website, or by dialing "10086" beginning Dec. 25.

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Image: Getty, ChinaFotoPress/Stringer

Topics: apple, china mobile, Gadgets, iPhone, iPhone 5, iPhone 5S, Mobile, Tech