Chinese customers will be able to pre-order the iPhone 5, Apple's latest smartphone, on Nov 20.

The phone was launched in the United States on Sept 14.

According to the Beijing Times, China Telecom - Apple's official partner - will open reservations for the device on Nov 20.

Advertisements for the gadget are already being shown on China Telecom's website.

Apple didn't place the Chinese mainland in the list of the initial group of countries able to sell the new product right after its launch, but its CEO Tim Cook said the company would introduce the device to China in December.

China has become the world's biggest market for smartphones, according to US-based research company IDC.