iPhone fans in China were finally happy to see the Jesus Phone officially arrive in their country starting yesterday. This highly anticipated launch of the newest generation iPhone however failed to meet expectations. Unlike the long queues observed in front of Apple Stores when the iPhone 5 launched elsewhere, the entire launch affair in China was very subdued. This is striking especially when you consider the fact that the iPhone 4S was greeted by enthusiastic, long queues in the very same country.
China has fast become Apple’s second biggest market after the US and the rather cold response (so far) for the iPhone 5 has led to concerns regarding the future prospects of Apple in this market. Apple’s latest iPhone as you all know, sports a larger 4-inch display and for the first time, is also 4G LTE capable. Back in September – at the initial launch of the device, Apple managed to sell an astounding 5 million new iPhone 5’s in the first three days!
However, Apple seems to have hit a rough patch after that and of late Apple’s shares have taken a hit and are trading lower. This according to analysts is growing concern regarding the growing clout of its competitors most of which have now come up with competitive products.
Perhaps the most symbolic fact that reflects the lessened interest in the iPhone 5 at least in China is the fact that there was only one person “in line” standing outside the Apple Store at Shanghai to become the first person to get the device in his hands. “Some of our Chinese sources do not expect the iPhone 5 to do as well as the iPhone 4S,” UBS analyst Steven Milunovich wrote in a note to clients.
That said, many others point towards the fact that the lack of people lining outside Apple Stores was only because of unfavourable weather and the ability to pre-book their devices online.