China Unicom on Friday confirmed in its interim results that it had reached an agreement with Apple to carry the iPhone in China. The news supports word of finished talks and will launch the smartphone sometime in the fall. Most terms aren't available, but China Unicom has said the deal extends for three years and that two models will be involved, at least one of which is likely the 16GB iPhone 3GS.
Dell today entered the cellphone world for the first time with the release of its first handset in China. Supporting leaks, the mini3i is based on China's Open Mobile System variant of Google's Android platform and has an iPhone-like front interface along with a China-specific app portal. Its centerpiece is a 3.5-inch, 640x360 capacitive touchscreen which is both the largest and highest-resolution display of any Android phone.
A report from earlier this week had Dell's smartphone launching in China this week. A new, Tuesday report backs up those rumors, and goes on to unveil the name of the device. To be called mini3i, the device will launch at China Mobile. Sold under the Ophone brand, the carrier plans to add rebadged devices from other manufacturers under the new name.
Dell's first smartphone could be unveiled within the next 48 hours if a purported source is accurate. The tip, likely coming from Asia, mentions to TechCrunch that the device should be made public for Chinese customers within the next day or two. Information is admitted as "thin," but it's also claimed that sources for Asian product launches have normally been accurate.
Dell's rumored Android device may have finally been captured in an image captured in a Chinese forum post (membership required to see). The image shows a handset with a full and reportedly capacitive (finger-controlled) touchscreen running Google's mobile OS, but reveals few other clues as to its features. It clearly exists in a prototype stage and not yet close to product.
