Apple's launch weekend recap
This year’s sales results (10 million) were without China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan, the company’s third largest market globally. The region is Apple’s fastest-growing major market but the CCTV recently published a report indicating the phone may be a threat to China’s national security. It appears that Chinese regulators have not approved the most recent iPhone yet for sale in the country.
The iPhone is 70 percent of Apple's profit
A MOVE INTO LESS AFFLUENT MARKETS
Perhaps the most interesting news comes from the iPhone 5C and a more serious play for a new market. Traditionally the company upgrades each of the iPhone’s once a year. This month, instead of announcing an upgrade for the iPhone 5C, Apple will sell the same phone for a lower cost. This is a strong strategy to increase market share in less affluent markets. By selling the same plastic model for a longer period allows the product cost to drop. The new lower cost? Free with a contract (in the US).