Apple and China Mobile have called off talks to launch the US firm's popular iPhones in China.

The Chinese company’s statement further dashed speculation the device will hit the country's store shelves soon.

A spokeswoman for listed China Mobile, the world's largest cellular operator, said its unlisted parent of the same name had "terminated" discussions with Apple, although she would not say why.

Experts said Apple's iPhone faced a spate of technical and fee issues unique to China, including a standard revenue-sharing agreement that China Mobile disliked.

News that the two firms were in talks over the device's potential launch in the world's largest telecoms arena had helped Apple's stock climb more than 10 per cent on November 13.- Reuters