Apple works on Shanghai retail store

China Unicom is in talks to bring the iPhone 4 to mainland China, writes Agence France-Presse, translating a report from state newspaper China Daily. Unicom's general manager of sales, Yu Yingtao, explains that an agreement with Apple is expected to be reached by the fourth quarter of the year. The actual product launch could happen before the end of 2010, though no more precise dates are available.

Other questions include whether a special version of the phone will be necessary, since the iPhone 3GS initially launched in China without Wi-Fi, a feature that was promised as a later addition. The iPhone 4 should at least have some extra help in terms of distribution, since Apple is planning to open in its second store in mainland China on July 10th. The outlet will be located in Shanghai's financial district, and follow two years after the debut of a Beijing location.

by MacNN Staff