iPhone 5 Launched in China?

In the following video, Fool analysts Andrew Tonner and Brendan Byrnes discuss the release of the iPhone 5 in China and what that means for Apple (Nasdaq: AAPL).

China is the world's largest smartphone market, and Apple is right in the middle of this growth story. China already generated nearly 16% of Apple's revenue through the past three quarters and should be a huge growth driver in the years to come.

As consumer income increases, the iPhone has become a luxury good and a status symbol that indicates a buyer "has arrived," Andrew says.

But there are some red flags, and one of them is the iPhone price: around $850. That's a lot of money in China. Still, some of the anecdotal data shows high demand for the phone.

And despite a loss of market share to Android, there is evidence that consumers may have been putting off iPhone purchases in anticipation of the iPhone 5, Andrew says.

Although its market share has slipped in China, there's no doubt that Apple remains at the center of technology's largest revolution ever. However, there is a debate raging as to whether Apple remains a buy. The Motley Fool's senior technology analyst and managing bureau chief, Eric Bleeker, is prepared to fill you in on both reasons to buy and reasons to sell Apple, and what opportunities are left for the company (and more importantly, your portfolio) going forward. To get instant access to his latest thinking on Apple, simply click here now.