Pictures from the Beijing iPhone launch
Reader Maik Lutze sent us some pictures from in front of "THE PLACE" shopping center in the CBD area of Beijing. As you can see, Apple is planning for a rather large event tomorrow! He notes the activation stations, with copiers for IDs and, sadly, Windows machines for activation. There's also a stage, presumably for live acts, and some very nice seats. If you're there tomorrow, tag photos on Flickr as "tuaw" (no quotes) or submit them to our Tumblr page.Thanks for sending these in, Maik! His blog, in German, can be found here.
Gallery: Beijing iPhone launch
![TUAW [Cafepress]](http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.tuaw.com/media/tuaw-cafepress-promo.png)
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
A said 3:10PM on 10-29-2009
Is this prior to launch, or are the Chinese not so excited about the official iPhone launch?
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bob said 3:39PM on 10-29-2009
just as you weren't to excited to read the article lol
YG said 3:31PM on 10-29-2009
This is prior to launch for sure
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Fred said 3:45PM on 10-29-2009
I was thinking this was a little underwhelming. But now I'm getting all conflicted. How many folks who make the phones do you think will be able to afford to show up and buy one? Sorry :(
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strang said 3:47PM on 10-29-2009
So is it finally launching in China? Last I hear Apple was forced to strip Wi-Fi, is this still the case? Or is the iPhone 3GS in China exactly the same as elsewhere in the world?
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strang said 3:52PM on 10-29-2009
Both Unicom's online store, as well as Apple China makes no mention of Wi-Fi on the iPhone 3GS or the 3G.
So I guessing it's true...? No Wi-Fi on iPhone in China...
Bender Bending Rodriguez said 4:20PM on 10-29-2009
Yeah, WiFi is out. What is not known is if the internals are the same but without the WiFI drivers and UI additions, or if they removed the chip altogether.
I wonder this because if they weren’t forced to remove the chip, would it be cheaper for Apple to save money not putting it in on the production line for the MoBo or just leaving it. Hopefully we’ll see a teardown shortly after they launch.
The reason for exclusion, as I remember it, is that bylaw cellphones can’t have WiFi. Though non-cellphone PMPs can have WiFi and I think Hong Kong phones can, too (don’t quote me on that).
Bender Bending Rodriguez said 4:23PM on 10-29-2009
Update: The iPhone 3GS’ WiFi chip is the Broadcom BCM 4325. This is 802.11a/b/g/n + Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR + FM
So my refined question to be answered with the teardown is if they used a difference chip or just disabled the WiFi.
• http://s1.guide-images.ifixit.com/igi/XKaFxpO1moybnfat.large (chart)
• http://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/iPhone-3GS/817/2 (teardown)
strang said 5:25PM on 10-29-2009
I wonder if iFixit will be able to get their hands on a Chinese iPhone.
Seems tough, you have to get it on a 24-month term and probably have to be a Chinese resident.
Bender Bending Rodriguez said 2:17PM on 10-30-2009
There is the option of paying the full price without the contract, but then they have to get over there or have it shipped back. I’m guessing we’ll see someone else do the teardown this time.
Also, the Gov’t ruling on WiFi cellphones was waved back in May. I’m not sure when it goes into effect, but later versions of the iPhone in China will have WiFi.
So I wonder… why would Apple ship now unless they have just deleted the drivers and UI elements. Seems like a manufacturing waste to remove one chip just to add another without WiFi.
strang said 4:01PM on 10-29-2009
Wow it is NOT cheap in China.
http://iphone.10010.com/buy/
24 months contract required.
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Average White Boy said 9:45PM on 10-29-2009
What is strange is that China Unicom is giving amnesty to people that already have WiFi equipped iPhones and they'll be using the same network. Maybe those million or so WiFi equipped iPhones won't cause China Unicom to lose a lot of money. Still, it would seem that there will be people trying to sneak in contraband iPhones just to get all the features. And the contraband iPhones will be less expensive to buy. Maybe those users will be forced to pay higher carrier charges as compensation.
I think by next year Apple will likely build an iPhone that meets the Chinese version WiFi standard. That shouldn't be too difficult for such a large company. I think this year Apple, or should I say Foxconn were being pushed to their limits and can barely keep up with the standard version iPhone demands.
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David said 9:18AM on 10-30-2009
I stopped by The Place since it's next to my office to see what was going on. There was an Apple guy there giving a presentation ('and the iPhone does video too!') that was being translated into Mandarin. There was a line of about 300 people waiting... I guess to sign up with China Unicom. That was about 6:30pm (6:30am 10/30 US EST).
At about 7:00, I was at the Sanlitun Apple Store. It was closed and swarming with photographers. At 8pm, it opened. Lots of cheering people (Apple people) and photographers taking pictures.
As expected the iPhone sold here does NOT have wifi. They wouldn't say if the chip was in the phone or not. A foreign Apple guy (John Ford I think) said they weren't doing any interviews tonight either so no answers from him.
There are three models, 8, 16, and 32gb (4999rmb, 5880rmb, 6999rmb respectively). So the 32gb comes out to about $1050, no Unicom contract needed. I don't care enough to look at the CU page to see what kind of subsidy you get through them for 24 months.
I am using my iPhone here with China Unicom 3G. I pay about 150rmb a month for 500gb download, 240 minutes talk and some included texts too. The 3G isn't bad, but it doesn't work well outside of major cities. Hell, it doesn't work all that well in major cities either.
Other notes: Anyone who really wants a real (wifi-enabled) iPhone can get one. You can get it from Hong Kong, have a friend bring it, or walk into one of many many shops here and buy it. The factory unlocked 32gb version from Hong Kong sells for about 6500rmb, US version is about 1000rmb cheaper.
Regarding wifi: the law is that a phone can't have built in wifi. Everyone who needs/wants that basically just has to pay a premium in a shop here, or pick one up on a trip (frequent for many foreigners here) to Hong Kong. Walk into any Starbucks and you'll see probably half (or more) of the customers with an iPhone. So the law, like most in China, is more of a face thing, window dressing, something that everyone gets around (like using a VPN to access Facebook...putting women in nurse costumes at the sex shops to make it a medical appliance shop). The law is there but it doesn't really stop anyone who want something; it's just a little roadblock.
Does anyone know of a VPN for iPhone that I can use here in China to access FB?
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strang said 4:05PM on 10-30-2009
Anything that adhere to PPTP or L2TP should just work.
List of free VPNs: http://www.avinashtech.com/internet/15-best-free-vpn-for-secure-anonymous-surfing/
or try pay to use services: https://12vpn.com/
anina.net said 1:45AM on 11-03-2009
hi it was great event...http://anina.typepad.com/anina/2009/10/apple-iphone-launch-china-unicom-beijing-china.html
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exebeche said 1:40AM on 11-09-2009
We've u/led a short clip if you care to see the event - at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qsvjtcOM2KI
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