Foxconn Reportedly Ships 1.4 Million iPhone 5s Devices to China Mobile

Ahead of China Mobile's Friday launch, Foxconn has reportedly shipped 1.4 million iPhone 5s Devices to the carrier. Apple and China Mobile announced the deal last month, letting users know that sales begin January 17.

Apple's major iPhone assembler Foxconn has shipped about 1.4 million iPhone 5Ss to China Mobile last week, according to a person familiar with the matter, ahead of the mobile giant’s launch this Friday.

While the initial shipment volume doesn’t represent the total sales at China Mobile for January, the figure helps to gauge early demand for iPhones from China Mobile, the world’s biggest carrier by subscribers with more than 760 million customers. China Mobile began taking preorders for iPhones since Dec. 25.

“Shipping one million or more iPhones to a single carrier per month is substantial. But we have limited visibility beyond this month as Apple hasn’t informed Foxconn of the volume for the next shipment to China Mobile,” said the person.

According to Gartner, Apple has sold 18.5 million iPhones in China in the first three quarters of 2013. Having the world's largest carrier on board now will surely help boost market share in the area. China Mobile is also expected to launch the iPhone 5c Friday, but we have not heard any shipment numbers regarding that device.

While there is more competition in the mobile market in China, and the demand for the iPhone has decreased over the years, some analysts still expect sales that could reach 30 Million units.

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