iPad agreement between Apple & China Mobile predicted to follow iPhone launch

Market watchers are particularly excited about claims that Apple has inked an agreement with China Mobile, because they see it providing a significant boost to the company's iPhone sales. The carrier boasts a massive 759 million subscribers, making it by far the largest wireless provider on the planet.

Count analyst Chris Whitmore of Deutsche Bank among those who have high hopes for the iPhone launch on China Mobile — a partner that he referred to as the "Big Kahuna." He sees Apple selling as many as 20 million iPhones through the carrier in the first year, adding around $4 in incremental earnings per share.

But Whitmore also noted that an iPad launch through China Mobile would be a "logical next step" for Apple after the iPhone debut has concluded.

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