Apple is rumored to launch the iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C in China on November 28th for 5,599 yuan ($914.69) and 3,399 yuan ($555.23) respectively, according to a report from Chinese news outlet First Financial Daily [Google Translate] (via CNET). The report cites telecommunications analyst Yang Tao, and states that the phone would be released later in China than the rumored global launch because of the verification process by China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology that all new devices must go through.

iphone5s_line
The report also states that the phone will support China’s TD-SCDMA standard, which will theoretically make the phone compatible with the network of China Mobile, which is currently the world’s largest carrier and has so far not offered the iPhone. Last week, a report stated that recent talks between China Mobile and Apple have been "progressing smoothly" and that the two sides are optimistic about reaching an agreement for the carrier to offer the phone.

Earlier this week, prominent Japanese business newspaper Nikkei claimed that both the iPhone 5S and the iPhone 5C would launch in Japan on September 20, which is also widely speculated to be the date for the first wave of launches for Apple’s new iPhone models based on past history. Apple appears set to unveil its next-generation iPhones on September 10.

Related Forum: iPhone

Top Rated Comments

Klae17 Avatar
160 months ago
no, but those who will buy this, it's like "stealing" money from them, $555 for a "cheap" iphone, really?

But it isn't even "like" stealing. They are getting a perceived value out of a product and in exchange are handing, willfully, monetary compensation for said product. It's a marketplace. It's not a cheap iPhone. It's a less expensive one.

----------

$555 is a lot of money for a "Cheap" phone, it's a rip off price. You don't have to take words literally it's the internet.

Again, not a cheap iPhone. It's less expensive. Just like BMWs have higher models and lower models. The range is $140k to $30k. Cheap for some and expensive for others.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
absurdamerica Avatar
160 months ago
iPhone 5C for 555$? Doesn't seem to be cheap to me...:rolleyes: Apple needs to go much lower, something about 400$.

The 5C is priced well under the price of the Galaxy S4 in China with the 5S priced above it.

Should sell well.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Solomani Avatar
160 months ago
But it isn't even "like" stealing. They are getting a perceived value out of a product and in exchange are handing, willfully, monetary compensation for said product. It's a marketplace. It's not a cheap iPhone. It's a less expensive one.
Bingo.

Apple will never.... NEVER market or advertise any of its products as cheap. They may tout it as the "less expensive model" but they will never market it as cheap. That is totally going against their brand image.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Mad Mac Maniac Avatar
160 months ago
iPhone 5C for 555$? Doesn't seem to be cheap to me...:rolleyes: Apple needs to go much lower, something about 400$.

Well.. you also need to look at the high price of the 5S in china ($915). If you normalize the prices (keeping the same 5C to 5S price ratio) to the $650 expected US price the 5C would be about $395.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

m1 chip slide

Five Years of Apple Silicon: M1 to M5 Performance Comparison

Monday November 10, 2025 1:08 pm PST by
Today marks the fifth anniversary of the Apple silicon chip that replaced Intel chips in Apple's Mac lineup. The first Apple silicon chip, the M1, was unveiled on November 10, 2020. The M1 debuted in the MacBook Air, Mac mini, and 13-inch MacBook Pro. The M1 chip was impressive when it launched, featuring the "world's fastest CPU core" and industry-leading performance per watt, and it's only ...
iOS 26

iOS 26.2 Available Next Month With These 8 New Features

Tuesday November 11, 2025 9:48 am PST by
Apple released the first iOS 26.2 beta last week. The upcoming update includes a handful of new features and changes on the iPhone, including a new Liquid Glass slider for the Lock Screen's clock, offline lyrics in Apple Music, and more. In a recent press release, Apple confirmed that iOS 26.2 will be released to all users in December, but it did not provide a specific release date....
All Screen iPhone 2027 Feature 1

Apple to Hide Selfie Camera Under Display of 20th Anniversary iPhone

Monday November 10, 2025 1:55 am PST by
Apple will conceal the front-facing camera under the screen of its 2027 iPhone, a Chinese leaker said today, corroborating reports that Apple's 20th anniversary iPhone will have no visible cutouts in the display. Weibo-based account Digital Chat Station said Apple's development of under-screen camera technology was progressing as planned for adoption in 2027, one year after it will...
iphone pocket%402x

Apple Debuts iPhone Pocket, a Limited Edition iPod Sock-Style Accessory

Tuesday November 11, 2025 1:23 am PST by
Apple has teamed up with Japanese fashion house ISSEY MIYAKE to launch iPhone Pocket, a 3D-knitted limited edition accessory designed to carry an iPhone, AirPods, and other everyday items. The accessory is like a stretchy pocket, not unlike an iPod Sock, but elongated to form a strap made of a ribbed, elastic textile that fully encloses an iPhone yet allows you to glimpse the display...
iphone air thinness

iPhone Air Sales Are So Bad That Apple's Delaying the Next-Generation Version

Monday November 10, 2025 11:41 am PST by
The thin, light iPhone Air sold so poorly that Apple has decided to delay the launch of the next-generation iPhone Air that was scheduled to come out alongside the iPhone 18 Pro, reports The Information. Apple initially planned to release a new iPhone Air in fall 2026, but now that's not going to happen. Since the iPhone Air launched in September, there have been reports of poor sales...
Early Black Friday Deals 1

The Best Early Black Friday Apple Deals on AirPods, Apple Watch, iPad, and More

Saturday November 8, 2025 6:16 am PST by
We're officially in the month of Black Friday, which will take place on Friday, November 28 in 2025. As always, this will be the best time of the year to shop for great deals, including popular Apple products like AirPods, iPad, Apple Watch, and more. In this article, the majority of the discounts will be found on Amazon. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When ...
homepod mini colors

New HomePod Mini Coming Soon With These Features

Tuesday November 11, 2025 7:30 am PST by
Apple is expected to announce a new HomePod mini imminently, headlining with new chips. Here are all of the new features we're expecting. The second-generation HomePod mini is highly likely to contain a more up-to-date chip for more advanced computational audio and improved responsiveness. The current HomePod mini is equipped with the Apple Watch Series 5's S5 chip from 2019. Apple is likely ...
Apple fitness plus feature

Future of Apple Fitness+ 'Under Review'

Sunday November 9, 2025 5:30 am PST by
The future of Apple Fitness+ is "under review" amid a reorganization of the service, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. In the latest edition of his "Power On" newsletter, Gurman said that Apple Fitness+ remains one of the company's "weakest digital offerings." The service apparently suffers from high churn and little revenue. Nevertheless, Fitness+ has a small, loyal fanbase that...
iphone black friday gold

The Best Early Black Friday iPhone Deals

Monday November 10, 2025 10:18 am PST by
Cellular carriers have always offered big savings on the newest iPhone models during the holidays, and Black Friday 2025 sales have kicked off at AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, and more. Right now we're tracking notable offers on the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max, and iPhone Air. For even more savings, keep an eye on older models during the holiday shopping season. Note: MacRumors is...
2024 iPhone Boxes Feature

Apple Adjusts Trade-In Values for iPhones, iPads, Macs, and More

Thursday November 6, 2025 11:12 am PST by
Apple today updated its trade-in values for select iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch models. Trade-ins can be completed on Apple's website, or at an Apple Store. The charts below provide an overview of Apple's current and previous trade-in values in the U.S., according to its website. Maximum values for most devices either decreased or saw no change, but the iPad Air received a slight bump. ...