Apple fans in China await the release of the iPhone 7. (Photo : Getty Images)
Apple is releasing the iPhone 7 and is hopeful that the new product will finally end the downward sales trend in China. Experts are optimistic that the future will change for the California-based company.
An employee from an Apple Store in Xicheng district in Beijing who declined to be identified said, "Many consumers came to our store in recent weeks, trying to get information about the release of the new iPhone."
"Consumers are curious about the new functions of the next iPhone and whether the Chinese mainland will be among the first markets to get it," he said.
Product leaks that have been circulating indicated that the new iPhone will not be much different from its predecessor, the iPhone 6. However, many consumers are excited with its water-resistant and liquid metal features.
"The mainland will be among the first markets to sell the iPhone 7 because Apple sees the mainland as one of its crucial markets," said Zhu Dalin, an industry analyst at consultancy Analysis International.
Other experts, however, believe that the iPhone 7 will still not be able to revive Apple's control of the market in China. Sales have been slow for Apple in the past years due to tough competition from Huawei.
Kantar Worldpanel reported in August that Huawei's market share was 25.7 percent, while Xiaomi held 18.5 percent.
Zhu said, "Apart from the iPhone SE, Apple targets the high-end smartphone market, but Huawei's Mate series also aims at this level, grabbing many shares from Apple in the Chinese market."
An Apple fan with the surname Lin thinks that the iPhone is still worth every cent. He said, "I am looking forward to the new iPhone 7 thanks to its new functions and the powerful IOS operating system."
