Apple’s iPhone 6 has passed a key regulatory hurdle in China but still has not received permission to be sold in the country, according to Xinhua, the official Chinese news agency.
The announcement was the first official indication of what had been behind the delayed launch of the company’s latest mobile phone in one of its most important markets. Earlier this week Apple had said only that it would not be launching in China alongside its debut elsewhere today, but had given no explanation for the delay.
Xinhua said the phone had received regulatory approval for use on domestic frequencies but still requires one more licence – a network access license – before it will be allowed to be sold in the country.