Here are your Apple rumors and news items for Thursday:
Big China Chance: In response to rumors that Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) is preparing a new iPhone for China Mobile (NYSE:CHL), Ticonderoga Securities analyst Brian White believes the company could ultimately earn $70 billion from its mobile business in China. Apple’s iPhone business there has been steadily growing, making the company almost $5 billion in revenue in the company’s most recent quarter. White believes growth will continue as a result of the company’s new partnership with China Mobile – Apple Chief Operating Officer Tim Cook was seen visiting the telecom’s corporate headquarters on Wednesday — and the introduction of a new “mini-iPhone” in the market. Rumors that Apple will ship a smaller, cheaper iPhone have been circulating since January.
T-Mobile’s Million: Apple began selling “unlocked” iPhones through its website on June 14, meaning that people willing to plunk down $649 could purchase an iPhone that didn’t need AT&T‘s (NYSE:T) network. According to 9 to 5 Mac, the unlocked iPhone has been good news for T-Mobile. A company spokesperson told the website that more than a million unlocked iPhones have been activated on the company’s network. Rumors about the fifth-generation iPhone, expected to be released in September, have suggested that it will be compatible with all major carriers in the U.S., including Sprint (NYSE:S) and T-Mobile.
iPhone Leads: A BTIG Research study picked up by All Things Digital says that the iPhone is the best-selling smartphone for both AT&T and Verizon (NYSE:VZ) in the U.S. About 51% of Verizon stores said that the iPhone was their best-seller, while 38% said Apple’s phone was tied with Google (NASDAQ:GOOG) Android phones like HTC’s Thunderbolt and Samsung’s Droid Charge. The iPhone was even stronger at AT&T stores, with 65% of those polled saying the iPhone was their best-seller.
As of this writing, Anthony John Agnello did not own a position in any of the stocks named here. Follow him on Twitter at @ajohnagnello and become a fan of InvestorPlace on Facebook.
