Starting today, Chinese consumers can place orders for the iPhone 4 in authorized stores of China Unicom and Suning Appliances. China Unicom is also accepting online orders, Beijing Business Today reported.

iPhone 4 prices range from 5,880 yuan to 6,999 yuan, and monthly fees start at 96 yuan. The pricing scheme is similar to that of the iPhone 3G and 3GS models launched by China Unicom last October.

China Unicom's launch of the iPhone 4 caused prices in the grey market in Beijing's Zhongguancun electronics district to drop by nearly 1,000 yuan, the newspaper said.

The Apple iPad is also being launched today in Apple stores, Suning Appliances and other authorized dealers.

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