Supposed Internal Memo Suggests October 10 Launch for iPhone 6 in China

Apple may be looking to launch the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus in China on October 10, according to an internal Apple retail employee memo shared by Techweb (Google Translate). The memo also states that "prototype" iPhone 6 units will be put on store shelves starting October 7, allowing customers to experience both models before their launch three days later.

It was reported earlier this month that Apple received one out of the two regulatory licenses needed to sell the iPhone 6 in China. China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) is said to be performing the review, and would need to give Apple a critical regulatory license before the device goes on sale

Meanwhile, a report from Bloomberg states that the country's largest carrier, China Mobile, would be taking steps to eliminate $2 billion in smartphone subsidies for customers. The move would double the total cost of handsets like the iPhone over two years, with the up-front cost of the device decreasing while service contracts increase

China has become a growing market for Apple throughout the past few years, as the company has opened a variety of new stores and pushed iPhone sales through China Mobile, China Unicom and China Telecom, which are country's three biggest carriers. An October launch for the iPhone 6 in China would also be positive for Apple's important holiday quarter, which usually sees the company pushing to increase its sales in all of its markets before the end of the year.