Apple: iPad and iPad Mini to Hit China December 7th, iPhone 5 on the 14th

Two of Apple’s (NASDAQ:AAPL) newest gadgets have emerged from the Kafkaesque trial of China’s tech regulators to hit stores in early December. Apple has just confirmed that the iPad mini and the updated iPad will go on sale in China on December 7th (Friday), followed by the iPhone 5 a week later on December 14th.

But only the wifi versions of the fourth-gen iPad and the brand-new iPad Mini will be coming to China next week, resulting in an even longer wait for those who’d like to use them on 3G in the country.

As is the new custom, Apple is waging war on scalpers with its reservation system. Tonight’s announcement points out:

Reservation requests will be accepted daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. [local time] beginning Thursday, December 6 for pick up the following day.

The same will apply for the iPhone 5 a week later. But right now, Apple hasn’t updated its mainland China site, which is still touting the iPhone 4S.

Just last night, my colleague Charlie pointed out that the iPhone 5 had been issued its regulatory permit from MIIT, so its arrival next month is no surprise.

In Apple’s most recent earnings call, CEO Tim Cook pointed out that China now accounts for 15 percent of Apple’s sales, where it saw iPad shipments up 45 percent for Greater China, while iPhone sales were up 38 percent.

[Source: Engadget Mobile]