China Unicom Awaiting Final Okay to Sell iPhone 4S

Apple’s iPhone 4S is nearing its debut in the world’s largest smartphone market, China.

The device has already passed the necessary wireless regulatory tests and as soon as China Unicom, Apple’s carrier partner in the country, is granted the final paperwork, it will go on sale.

“We will start sales once we get the certificate from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology,” China Unicom exec Yu Yingtao told Sina.com. “It’s not up to us. We’ve already done all of our preparations; we’re just waiting on the permit.”

So, it’s only a matter of time now.

When the iPhone 4S finally does debut, expect big sales. When it went on sale in Hong Kong earlier this month, preorders sold out in just 10 minutes.