iPhone 5 Is Not China Unicom’s Top Priority, May Not Carry It at All

China Unicom “has not substantially profited” from iPhone subsidies and thus may not sign with Apple for another two years of selling a new iPhone version, according to China’s tech.sina.com.

Highlighted by Taiwanese trade publication DigiTimes, the report in question notes that China’s only WCDMA mobile operator began 24-month contract-bundles of iPhone 4 in September 2010 that are set to expire next month.

“[China Unicom] may not sign with Apple to continue sales of iPhone 4S or a new version of iPhone expected to be launched in September,” reported the Taiwanese publication, citing China-based tech.sina.com.

The report specifically states that the operator “has not substantially profited from sales of iPhone 4.” Furthermore, China Unicom has hemorrhaged cash because of subsidies and investments made to expand network infrastructure.

As a result of all this, the iPhone 5 is not the brightest dot on China Unicom’s radar.