Pundits have been predicting for several successive quarters that iPhone sales in China would outstrip those in the U.S., and Q2 2015 was when it finally happened, reports Reuters.
Apple […] sold more iPhones in China than the United States for the first time […] increasing its revenue in the country 71 percent to $16.8 billion, although that was helped by gift-buying for Chinese New Year.
Tim Cook said that the iPhone was responsible for the bulk of Apple’s revenue in China, though he did also note that Mac sales were “unbelievable,” up 31% year-on-year. As with other markets, the iPhone is usually the first Apple product people buy, but that brings them into the ecosystem and boosts sales of other products …
Cook reported that App Store revenue in Greater China doubled over the past 12 months, and that almost $5B had been paid to Chinese developers in total, more than half of it in the past year.
The Apple CEO also reiterated Apple’s plan to increase its retail presence in the country to 40 stores by mid-2016, noting that they were now more than halfway there, at 21 stores. Online Apple Store revenues have tripled year-on-year, and by next quarter the company will offer 2-day delivery to 365 cities in the country.
Cook said that adding Union Pay to payment methods for the Chinese App Store was helping Apple to significantly expand the ecosystem in the country, though it was recently reported that issues with Union Pay and bank negotiations was delaying the local launch of Apple Pay.
Photo: China Photo Press
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All those who told bad things about Angela Ahrendts? In your face! she’s got significant part of this.
Tim Cook said . . . . “iPhone is usually the first Apple product people buy, but that brings them into the ecosystem and boosts sales of other products … ”
That’s what got me into the Apple system. I had iPods – but was strictly a PC Person until the iPhone 4. I have not purchased a PC product since that product – though I’ve had every new iPhone; 3 iPads and a MacBook Air.
It’s working Tim and I’m still waiting on the Apple Watches for my wife and I.
It definitely works. My first foray into the Apple ecosystem was 10 years ago when I got the first iPod Nano (it was short lived – it was stolen two months after I got it, and it was engraved!). I did not like Macs because I thought they were too complicated, then I got an iPhone 4 (after having a Droid X). I didn’t look back. Now I have an iPhone 6, iPad Air 2 and MBA. Still contemplating on that watch though. Might just hold off for v2…
I wonder if they’ll bring out a locust flavoured variety LOL