China can’t wait. Grey market iPhone 6 selling for $5,000 with no official release date in sight

The new iPhone 6 models didn’t get a simultaneous release in China this year, which has already created a lucrative grey market for Apple’s hit smartphones. China still doesn’t have an official release date, and some Apple fans are buying grey market units for up to RMB 30,000 (US$4,890), according to Techweb.

The average grey market price for the Hong Kong and US versions is over RMB 10,000 (US$1,630). Once the phones actually launch, the unlocked prices are predicted to be as follows, according to ZOL, a Chinese gadget news and review site:

• 16GB iPhone 6 – RMB 5,288 (US$862)
• 64GB iPhone 6 – RMB 6,088 (US$992)
• 128GB iPhone 6 – RMB 6,888 (US$1,123)
• 16GB iPhone 6 Plus – RMB 6,088 (US$992)
• 64GB iPhone 6 Plus – RMB 6,888 (US$1,123)
• 128GB iPhone 6 Plus – RMB 7,688 (US$1,253)

Keep in mind these are ZOL’s estimates, not official figures, and the price will likely vary between carriers.

When the iPhone 5S and 5C launched last year, Apple for the first time simultaneously launched in China and the US. This time round, Apple has reneged on that game plan, instead opting for a staggered release. Some media reports point to China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) delaying the issue of the new iPhones’ network licenses, but this was never confirmed.

See: iPhone 6 and 6 Plus hit Australia, Hong Kong, Japan, and Singapore on September 19

The New York Times reports Chinese carriers expected the release date to be September 19, but it was delayed without prior notice, catching many vendors off guard.