Apple did not announce an expected partnership with China Mobile at its iPhone event Tuesday, but the company has been reportedly cleared to begin selling its smartphone through China's largest carrier. The Chinese Telecom Equipment Certification Center has granted Apple a network license that would allow its device to run on China Mobile, according to the Wall Street Journal.

China Mobile has 700 million subscribers - this is seven times the number of Verizon Wireless.

That would be a big deal for Apple, which has previously been limited to selling its devices through China Unicorn and China Telecom, two of China Mobile's smaller rivals.

Apple has not officially confirmed its deal with Chinese cellular carrier.