Disappointing turn out for iPhone's Chinese debut

The iPhone launches in China today. But far from the fanfare the smartphone’s Japanese introduction received, reports indicate a more muted welcome from the Chinese market.

163.com are reporting that only a handful of Beijing residents turned out to grab an iPhone, with red roped queuing-lines looking decidedly unnecessary.

Speaking of Apple’s record profits recently, COO Tim Cook may have over-estimated Chinese interest in the handset when he detailed plans for “1,000 points of sale” and then to “expand further over the next several months thereafter”.

Despite appearances to the contrary, the iPhone has still performed well in China in the lead up to this launch, with an estimated 3 million Hong Kong and Taiwanese imports of the handset reaching Chinese shores.