Apple announced on Tuesday that it will begin selling the new iPad in China on July 20th. The company will be offering through its online Apple Store, at some of its third party Apple Authorized Resellers, and by reservation only at its six Apple Store retail locations in Beijing and Shanghai.
Apple said it will accept reservation requests daily from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM local starting on July 19th for pickup the next day. Apple has dealt with riots at some of its Apple Store locations with some product launches in China, and the reservations should help the company manage that process.
Apple’s launch date comes in the wake of the company settling a long-running battle with Proview Technology over the iPad trademark. Apple paid $60 million earlier in July to settle the case and to be able to use the iPad name in China, clearing the way for releasing the new iPad in that market.
Apple announced pricing for the devices in U.S. dollars at the same price point the devices are sold in the States. The 16GB iPad with Wi-Fi will be priced at US$499 (CNY3,177), while the 16GB iPad Wi-Fi + Cellular will be priced at $629 (CNY4,004).
Apple will also continue selling the iPad 2 in China at $399 (CNY2,541) like it has in other markets.