It was recently confirmed by China’s official state news agency that China Mobile is going to switch on its commercial 4G service on December 18th. On that day it will also finally launch the new iPhones, over the past few months it has been rumored quite a few times that China Mobile is going to carry both iPhones this year. If reports coming out of China are true, the iPhone 5c and iPhone 5s might not be the only TD-LTE capable devices that the world’s largest mobile carrier launches on December 18th. Samsung’s flagship devices might be there to give the iPhones a run for their money.
Local media in China reports that the country’s version of the FCC has approved TD-LTE compatible Galaxy S4 and Galaxy Note 3, model numbers GT-I9508C and SM-N9008V respectively. Given the reports that both devices have already received regulatory approval, it wouldn’t come as a surprise if they’re launched alongside the new iPhones on December 18th. China Mobile’s move to carry the iPhones will no doubt be beneficial for Apple, as its iPhones have never before been carried by the world’s largest mobile operator that touts over 750 million subscribers. For consumers, it would be a welcome step, as they get to choose between Android and iOS devices before climbing up the 4G ladder.