2G iPhone to be sold in China?


In an article largely dedicated to the opening of the first Apple Store in Beijing, Shanghai Daily reports that Apple's current 2G (EDGE) iPhone will go on sale in that country ahead of the 3G version.

"The iPhone, with its powerful Internet browser and multimedia functions, will get users to spend more on data services and bring the carriers considerably more income," said Sandy Shen, analyst, Gartner, adding that Apple will likely sell the EDGE-only version of the iPhone in China due to the fact 3G networks aren't yet ready in the Middle Kingdom.

In a post-WWDC interview in early June, Steve Jobs said that the iPhone will go on sale in China by year's end.

Apple Online Store


On June 18th, IGM reported comments by an unnamed China Unicom executive denying rumors that his company was in talks with Apple vis-a-vis-the iPhone. However, at the time, his denial was based on the notion that talks weren't plausible because 3G networks had yet to be rolled out in that country.

IGM speculated at the time that Apple might choose to go forward without 3G and sell the EDGE-version of the device there instead.

Further, it's worth noting that the 3G iPhone is also EDGE compatible.

Save $25 Mac mini starting at $569
+ FREE Shipping + Printer + Parallel Desktop 3.0 after Rebate(s)