Hasta La Gadget!

Aug 13

China Finally Getting the iPhone in September

Posted in: Apple, iPhone, Phones, rumors, Today's Chili

Considering iPhones are made in China, and they’re already being counterfeited there, you would think that an authentic Apple iPhone would have been available in the country long ago. But it appears carrier China Unicom and Apple are just finally sealing the deal to begin selling iPhones in September.

The carrier has paid Apple 10 billion yuan ($1.46 billion) for 5 million iPhones, according to International Business Times. An 8GB model of the iPhone is estimated to sell for 2,400 yuan ($350), and a 16GB may be sold at 4,800 yuan ($700), said Yu Zaonan, general manager of the customer development department of China Unicom, in an interview with IBT. The report says China’s iPhones would work with the WCDMA-standard for 3G connectivity.

The report does not clarify whether Unicom would be selling the new iPhone 3GS, or if these are the previous 3G models. However, it’s likely the 8GB model is an iPhone 3G, since there is no 8GB iPhone 3GS.

Shortly after IBT published its report, China Unicom attempted to refute it by claiming IBT’s sources never commented on the iPhone. However, IBT said it had voice records of the interviews. Our interpretation: The company accidentally broke the news, which was supposed to be Apple’s job. Whoops!

See Also:

Photo: Stuck in Customs/Flickr