After China Mobile sugar rush, Apple will fight for customers

Published December 16, 2013
Security staff watch over a crowd gathered for the opening of a new Apple store in Beijing's Wangfujing shopping district October 20, 2012. The store is Apple's fifth in mainland China, as is being promoted as the largest in Asia.     REUTERS/David Gray     (CHINA - Tags: BUSINESS)
Security staff watch over a crowd gathered for the opening of a new Apple store in Beijing's Wangfujing shopping district October 20, 2012. The store is Apple's fifth in mainland China, as is being promoted as the largest in Asia. REUTERS/David Gray (CHINA - Tags: BUSINESS)

BEIJING: For all the hype, Apple Inc's long-awaited iPhone agreement with China Mobile Ltd may deliver little more than a fleeting revenue jolt for the US giant.

A deal with the world's largest mobile carrier, expected as early as this week, nets Apple 759 million potential new customers that could generate $3 billion in 2014 revenue, or nearly one-quarter of Apple's projected revenue growth in its current fiscal year.

But after the initial haul, Apple will find itself in a familiar, expensive battle with its main smartphone rival, South Korea's Samsung Electronics Co Ltd, to win over customers, one wallet at a time.

Opinion

Editorial

Warming ties
Updated 03 Jun, 2025

Warming ties

The sudden improvement in relations appears to be largely the work of Chinese diplomacy.
Exporters’ woes
03 Jun, 2025

Exporters’ woes

WITH the next budget coming up, hosiery and garments exporters have asked for the prime minister’s support on...
Sporting success
03 Jun, 2025

Sporting success

THE euphoria following the thrilling climax of the Pakistan Super League spilled over to the next week. In fact, the...
The cost of relief
Updated 02 Jun, 2025

The cost of relief

No final agreement reached with IMF due to differences mainly on proposed increase in defence expenditure and tax cuts.
Muzzling criticism
Updated 02 Jun, 2025

Muzzling criticism

As the HRCP report rightly underscores, Peca has morphed into a blunt instrument used to silence critics, weaken fundamental freedoms.
Coastal development
02 Jun, 2025

Coastal development

A MULTIBILLION-dollar development scheme, spread over hundreds of acres, is in the works for Karachi’s coast....