Skip to main content

Apple CEO Cook hands out autographed iPhones at China Mobile launch, says ‘great things’ coming

BeJbFfPCQAAdEYk.jpg-large

As planned, iPhone sales have started via China Mobile, the largest carrier in China, today. The official iPhone China Mobile deal, which covers both the iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c, was announced in December. Earlier this week, Apple CEO Tim Cook promoted the event with multiple interviews, calling the partnership a “beginning.” Subsequent reports indicated that millions of iPhones have already been ordered through China Mobile…

BeJZoCxCEAAeebC.jpg-large

To celebrate today’s launch, Cook and China Mobile Chairman Xi Guohua attended the opening at a China Mobile store. In celebration, Cook and the China Mobile executive offered autographed iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c units to the first customers to enter the store. Cook also took a few questions and made some statements at this opening.

Cook said, “today is just the beginning of China Mobile and Apple coming together to deliver the best experience in the world,” according to a report from Bloomberg News. Interestingly, Cook was asked if a bigger-screened iPhone is in the works. Unsurprisingly, Cook declined to comment much, solely saying, “We never talk about future things. We have great things we are working on but we want to keep them secret. That way you will be so much happier when you see it.”

Apple has long been considering moving to a larger-screened iPhone, and numerous reports have indicated that Apple will likely launch said device in 2014. Apple has been testing iPhone screen sizes ranging from 4.5-inches, 4.7-inches, 5-inches, and all the way up to 6-inches.

Late last year, we reported that Tim Cook teased in a letter to employees that Apple has “big plans” for 2014.

Tim Cook autograph photo via Flickr 

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

You’re reading 9to5Mac — experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Don’t know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

Comments

  1. Will Bensky - 10 years ago

    He really doesn’t have better things to do?

  2. danielpeters16 - 10 years ago

    Wonder how long till one of them is on eBay.

  3. rogifan - 10 years ago

    What Tim’s doing in China is incredibly significant (I don’t think Steve Jobs ever went to China), and yet some Apple rumor sites are focusing on Tim’s non-comment on a larger screen iPhone. Great reporting there.

  4. patthecarnut - 10 years ago

    He better watch the Apple checking account. It IS China he’s autographing iPhones. There will soon be counterfeit checks rolling into the Apple banks with his fake signature. Those kookie Chinese! They copy everything… wha wha whaaaa! #chinasteals