Apple today began selling in China its iPhone6 and iPhone6 Plus handsets to expand its base in the world's largest smartphone market.
Apple CEO Tim Cook said that it is "the biggest iPhone launch ever" in China's mainland adding that it is also the first time the new gadget will be carried by all of China's three mobile operators - China Mobile, China Unicom and China Telecom.
These are all state-owned firms which between themselves share revenues of over a billion mobile phone users in China.
"I use both and I'm going back and forth. It's the toughest decision I've ever made about an iPhone," Cook said referring to the two models of the new iPhone.
According to local Apple officials, Chinese market constitutes 35 per cent of its revenue even though its market share is just over six per cent.
State run CCTV said one of the online e-commerce firm JD.Com has orders to deliver nine million new iPhones in China.
Customers can buy the smart phones from Apple's online and retail stores as well as authorised retailers including telecommunications companies and online home appliance companies.
The retail prices of the iPhone6 and iPhone6 Plus range from 5,288 yuan (861 USD) to 7,999 yuan (1305 USD) for different models.
The authorised release once again ignited iPhone fever in the company's largest potential market as media reports said the number of orders hit a record high since pre-orders started on October 10.
Apple released the iPhone6 and iPhone6 Plus in the Chinese mainland one month after its global debut apparently due to obtaining clearances from the Chinese government.
Apple has a devoted following in China which is the world's second-largest economy and the largest smartphone market according to an industry estimate.
