Jul 18

Apple China News

Although there is no Apple Store in China yet, the iPhone is very popular there, and if you don't believe me, take a look at this Chinese iPhone. Not quite the same, but look - it says "iPhone" on the back, right? Well, let's leave those cheap clones aside, because I am sure China will get the real thing, sooner or later. After all, opening an Apple Store in Beijing is only the first step, the iPhone will surely drop by along the way, after the iPods take control...or not, but that remains to be seen. For now, let's concentrate on Apple's last official statements related to its future expansion in China, shall we?

According to Ron Johnson, Apple's senior vice president of retail, the store to open soon in Beijing is "the first of many stores we will open in China," with the first ones expected to be placed in "Beijing, in Shanghai and beyond," with two in Beijing, for the beginning.

The first one is going to be the 219th Apple Store worldwide, and will open its gates on the 19th of July, at 10AM. Located in Beijing's Sanlitun entertainment district, the two-level store will offer Genius Bar services in Chinese and English, just in time for the 2008 Summer Olympics, and it seems support in additional languages will be available, including German.

You know what's the most interesting part of Apple's expansion in China? According to various estimations, between 400,000 and 1 million original iPhones are in use in China, despite the fact it was never released there, and disregarding the strong presence of cheaper iPhone clones on the market.

Unfortunately, the products Apple will sell in its Chinese stores will be painfully expensive, with the 32GB iPod Touch going as high as 4,488 Chinese Yuan, about $650, while the same item could be purchased for $499 from the Apple US online store.

China, ready or not, Apple is coming! Considering the fact that its marketing machine proved to work decently in a other markets full of budget-conscious users, there are plenty of chances to see them succeeding here, too, but we should not underestimate the power of the clones, either. All in all, Apple's evolution in China will be very interesting to watch in the coming years, I can bet on that!