Apple signs iPhone deal with China Mobile

Apple will officially bring its iPhone product line into China after signing a multi-year deal with state-owned telecommunications behemoth China Mobile.

The iPhone will arrive in China from January 17, Apple said in an announcement today. Terms of the deal were not announced

Pricing and availability details for the smartphone giant's latest models, the iPhone 5S and 5C, will be available at a later date.

"China is an extremely important market for Apple and our partnership with China Mobile presents us the opportunity to bring iPhone to the customers of the world's largest network," Apple CEO Tim Cook said in a statement.

The deal gives Apple access to China Mobile's 760 million customers, in a market dominated by low-cost Android smartphones.

The deal ends years of discussions between the pair, who reportedly butted heads over Apple's demands for guarantees over sales volumes.