Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL), which successfully launched its latest smartphones iPhone 6 and 6 Plus on Sept. 19 in the US and nine other countries including Hong Kong with record sales of 10 million units in first week, was not allowed to sell in China.  Now, however, Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) will be selling their iPhone 6 on October 16th in China.  The following week witnessed Apple iPhones going on sales in 20 more countries. However, yet again the company was unable to take a head start in China despite a big customer base that is definitely getting impatient due to unforeseen delays. China is considered a lucrative market for smartphones and such delays may impact Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL)’s revenues.

However today Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) was able to deliver the good news to its Chinese customers that China’s Ministry of Information Technology has given a green signal for the roll out of both new iPhone models. With the ending of restrictions, preorders are planned to start from Oct.10 followed by sales of iPhone 6 and 6 Plus a week after. Issues with Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL)’s iOS operating system were the main hindrance that restricted Apple to timely launch new models since the regulators in China wanted it to be fixed so that security and safety are not compromised.

Surprisingly, Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) is handling a totally opposite situation in the U.S. where the government is more concerned about the enhanced security features of latest iPhones. Apple is already struggling to restore customers’ confidence since it had to recall its latest operating system update iOS 8.0.1 last week shortly after launch due to complaints regarding network disconnections and figure print reader malfunction. Bendability or “Bendgate”, as being mocked on social media, is yet another front which is still open for Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL). A number of customers reported recently that new iPhones can bend when kept in back pockets of skinny jeans. So with such issues still on the table iPhone’s sales might not get the desired results after its launch in China.

Electronic Media in China has also remained blunt in pointing out issues with Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL)’s smartphones. Last year, Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) had to face tough criticism for its Warranty and Repair policies in China, local media claimed that there was insufficient warranty coverage and on top of that Apple’s services were not enough for those phones which have warranty coverage. Tim Cook Apple CEO, had to post an apology letter on company’s Chinese website in order to counter the allegations by People’s daily for being a Highly Arrogant Company. Recently in July this year, China Central Television deliberated on the risks of iPhones location based service software.

As far as Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) is concerned things are not going their way. The company is seriously counting on its Chinese market, which is second largest only after the U.S., to meet the targets. In sharp contrast, just a year back Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) successfully placed iPhone 5s and 5c on sale in China the same day as in U.S. and was able to make 14.9 percent of revenue from this market, which was higher from 11.7 percent in 2011.

 

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