The iPhone 4 is likely to enter China in August and China Unicom (600050.SH), its sole Chinese distributor, is busily preparing the launch, the telecom operator told China Business News on June 28.

There have been long-standing rumors that iPhone 4 would hit the Chinese market in August. But at a press conference last week,?the vice president of China Unicom refused to give a definite date, leading to speculation the launch might be delayed till September or even Q4.

A China Unicom source said the operator was in talks with Apple on the release schedule and the two sides are likely to hold more discussions in the US.

Chinese Apple fans will be glad to hear that, unlike the iPhone 3GS, the iPhone 4 will be equipped with WAPI and Wi-Fi functions.

China's business press carried the story above on Tuesday. China.org.cn has not checked the stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.