China Unicom Offering Free iPhone 4S With Multiyear Contract

China Unicom, currently Apple’s lone iPhone carrier partner in China, is offering quite the deal on the new iPhone 4S: A free 4S bundled with a multiyear service contract. The promotion begins Jan. 13, and will see Unicom, the second-largest wireless carrier in China, offering the 32 gigabyte version of the device with a 286-yuan-per-month plan (approximately $46 U.S.) on a three-year agreement; the 16GB version of the phone is available with a two-year service contract costing 386 yuan (about $61) per month. The move comes amid continuing rumors that Apple will soon ink an iPhone deal with China Mobile, the world’s largest wireless carrier.