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The Korean Times reported Tuesday that Apple is already negotiating with local carriers for an April launch of the 4th generation iPhone, which contradicts a Challenges report from today that Apple was planning on a May time frame for the release of the next iPhone upgrade.

The Korean newspaper said that KT, a local wireless carrier, claimed that it has been in negotiations with Apple for a while on carrying the next iPhone model, and that it might be released in April "at the earliest." Curiously, the KT source also said that it would be offered to high-profile corporate customers first.

"We don't see any bigger hurdle to introduce 4G iPhones here, as legal issues were completely cleared. It's possible to launch the devices within the first half," a "high-ranking KT executive" who requested anonymity told the newspaper. "Still, there are some 3G iPhone stocks. But KT and Apple have reached a broad consensus to introduce the advanced models as early as possible."

An Apple Korea spokesperson confirmed that Apple has been in talks with KT, but did not confirm the April time frame for an iPhone 4G release.

"With KT, we've been in talks with other telecom carriers to gauge the launching timing of 4G iPhones in South Korea. More tech-oriented features will be added to the models," the representative said.

The KT source said the device would have an OLED display and support video chats. Then again, the source also said that there it highly likely the device would sport a removable battery, something Apple has been steadfastly moved away from with its iPod and some parts of the MacBook line, in addition to the iPhone.

Source: The Mac Observer