Chinese regulators have now issued the final permit necessary for Apple to launch the iPhone 4S in China, and new reports from Chinese media (via M.I.C. Gadget) suggest that the 4S will be launching on China Unicom as soon as January 6th.
The report cites “knowledgable insiders” in stating that “the preparation work for sales channel, staff training and network testing is completed. China Unicom will launch the device very soon.
If the report is accurate, the iPhone 4S will launch at all 5 Apple Stores in China on or around January 6th, with more conservative estimates from China’s People’s Daily suggesting the device will be released before the Chinese New Year, which takes place on January 23, 2012.