According to reports in Taiwanese local media, Chinese telecommunications operator China Unicom will launch Uphone, a smartphone product based on Google's Android platform, in late June or July 2009.

On the other hand, China Unicom's negotiation with Apple about the introduction of Apple's 3G iPhone into China has lasted for several months, but no official agreement has been reached. Recent rumors said that the negotiation between the two parties has not gained any substantial progress and China Unicom has lowered the priority of the introduction of the iPhone. Apple this week unveiled in the United States its latest smartphone, the iPhone 3GS.

Another Chinese telecom operator, China Mobile, has also announced plans to launch its Android-based smartphone, Ophone, in the fourth quarter of 2009. In addition, China Mobile will reportedly launch a customized mobile phone, HTC Magic, this month.