iPhone 5 And iPad Confirmed for December Release in China

iPad Mini and iPad 4 arrives next week, while iPhone 5 follows a week later.

After months of uncertainty regarding the iPhone 5's arrival in China, Apple has confirmed that the smartphone will release in the region during December.

Apple confirmed that the Wi-Fi versions of the iPad Mini and the fourth-generation iPad will be available in China come Friday, December 7. The iPhone 5 will launch the following Friday, December 14.

All three Apple products will be available through the company's online store, select Apple resellers and by reservation from Apple retail stores.

Following a long wait for Chinese consumers, it was confirmed in recent days that the iPhone 5 passed its final regulatory examinations in China, which is one of Apple's most valuable markets.

The country accounts for around 15 percent of the company's revenue for its fiscal year that ended in September, equaling about $23.8 billion.

However, researcher Canalys had said during the third quarter, the iPhone's share of shipments into China's smartphone market dropped to 8 percent. Android dominates the market instead with a 90 percent share due to its various price points and diversity.

Apple's tablet market share, meanwhile, is responsible for more than 70 percent of the Chinese market.

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