Chances high for more patent cases

Apple Inc's latest patent dispute in China may hurt the company's iPhone sales and harm its brand image in the world's largest smartphone market, experts said.

Though the United States firm had moved quickly to lodge an appeal, the case may deal a blow to the company's China business in the long term while its local rivals such as Huawei Technologies Co Ltd are leaping forward, in terms of market share and product quality.

Xiang Ligang, a Beijing-based independent expert and founder of industry website cctime.com, said that until Apple rolls out the iPhone 7 in September, the iPhone 6 and the iPhone 6 Plus will remain its main offerings to Chinese consumers.