China Telecom to Offer the iPhone 5 and a Simplified iPhone 4 by October?

China Telecom has reached a 'preliminary agreement' with Apple to offer two types of iPhone by the end of October - an iPhone 5 and a simplified iPhone 4, according to Ticonderoga Securities analyst Brian White.

"According to Sohu.com, China Telecom will offer two types of iPhone that include the iPhone 5 and a 'simplified iPhone 4,'" says White. "Essentially, this potential 'simplified iPhone 4′ would be a more economical version of iPhone to target a broader customer base in developing countries such as China, allowing for an expanded market opportunity."

"We estimate the high-end portion of China Telecom's subscriber base is approximately 13 to 15 million, which represents a current revenue opportunity for the iPhone of $8- to $9 billion," White says. "We view this as the most reasonable near-term addressable market opportunity for Apple's iPhone. However, if Apple offers a more economical, 'simplified iPhone 4,' the opportunity with China Telecom could be much larger."


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