Although Apple intended to release the iPhone 6 and its bigger version, the iPhone 6 Plus, in China on Tuesday, regulatory approval for the phones wasn't received, leading to a later release date.

Apple, Inc, told telecommunications companies in China the new iPhones wouldn't be released on Sept. 19, the same day that the lineup becomes available in the United States and other significant markets, according to The New York Times.

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When Paul Schiller, Apple's marketing chief, announced the release of the much-anticipated handset on Tuesday, China was missing in the roster of launch countries that included Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, Singapore, United Kingdom and the U.S.

According to sources that wish to remain unnamed, Apple was aiming for a Sept. 19 release in China but changed its plans on Wednesday without even offering an explanation for the delay. A

China Telecom sales manager said Apple was still sorting out some details tbut didn't disclose the issues around the delayed release.

Chinese news reports said on Wednesday the iPhone 6 has not been approved for release by the government's Ministry for Industry and Information Technology that authorizes technologies such as smartphones. There was no sign of the iPhone 6 on the regulator's website.

In addition, the online Apple Store in China doesn't offer information on pre-order sales for both devices, which was significantly advertised in other markets such as the U.S. and Canada starting on Sept. 12.

Meanwhile, China Mobile, the world's largest mobile phone operator, offered pre-orders of both devices well ahead of the launch dates. As of Sept. 2, there have been more than 33,000 reservations for the new iPhones.

TagsiPhone 6 Plus, Ministry for Industry and Information Technology, iOS 8, Launch, release, iphone 6 release date