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Apple’s ‘next big thing’ might not be a ‘thing’

Published Nov 26th, 2012 9:55AM EST
Apple China Mobile Deal

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The “next big thing” from Apple (AAPL) might not be a smartphone, tablet, computer or a television, as countless recent rumors have suggested. It might not even be a service like a Pandora competitor or a new TV service tied to an Apple set-top box. Instead, Morgan Stanley analyst Katy Huberty believes the next big thing for Apple will be a deal. In the December 10th issue of Forbes magazine, Connie Guglielmo writes that the iPhone’s eventual arrival on China Mobile, China’s biggest wireless carrier, will be Apple’s next big catalyst.

According to Morgan Stanley’s Huberty, who is cited a number of times in the article, China Mobile will likely begin carrying the iPhone in the second half of 2013. If Apple’s older, low-priced iPhone models are picked up by China Mobile, Huberty thinks Apple stock will explode to as much as $980 a share. Apple shares closed at $571.50 on Friday, having rebounded from a month-long dive that saw the stock nearly drop into the $400-range.

Apple’s addressable market for the iPhone has plenty of room to grow, and inking a deal with China’s biggest carrier would indeed solidify the company’s presence in the world’s biggest smartphone market. Whether or not it will be the catalyst that drives Apple shares up near $1,000, however, remains to be seen.

Zach Epstein
Zach Epstein Executive Editor

Zach Epstein has been the Executive Editor at BGR for more than 10 years. He manages BGR’s editorial team and ensures that best practices are adhered to. He also oversees the Ecommerce team and directs the daily flow of all content. Zach first joined BGR in 2007 as a Staff Writer covering business, technology, and entertainment.

His work has been quoted by countless top news organizations, and he was recently named one of the world's top 10 “power mobile influencers” by Forbes. Prior to BGR, Zach worked as an executive in marketing and business development with two private telcos.