For most of us, I will encourage you to take up ChinaMobile instead of ChinaUnicom because they are bigger and they have more services. For example, I know I will not be able to roam ChinaUnicom CDMA when I am back in Singapore as Singapore only uses GSM. I understand that most countries, except Japan and Korea uses GSM and not CDMA.
As for pricing, they are both somewhat similar. Under ChinaMobile, there are a few plans which they offer. Most Chinese local uses 神州行where incoming call is free (within the region, not whole China, ie, if you buy your card in Shanghai, incoming call when you are in Shanghai is free, but when you are in Guangzhou, it is chargeable). You can easier get a 神州行 sim card in newspaper stands, bookstores etc:
Anybody can buy and you need not produce identity, cost you RMB100 (RMB20 for SIM card, RMB80 talk time). Whenever the value is low, just walk into any stores to buy a RMB50 or RMB100 top up card. Note this is all pre-paid, when you use up all the value in your card, your line will be automatically cut off.
Nevertheless, I will not encourage expats to take up the above plan, because the above plan does not offer international auto roaming. That is, if I use it, i cannot apply auto roaming and when I am out of China, I will not be reachable. Therefore I will encourage you to take up another plan call 全球通 - Go Tone, where you can apply auto roaming.
This plan has to be applied at the service counter at ChinaMobile, and you will need your passport to apply.For more information, you can log on to their website at:-
http://www.chinamobile.com/en/
http://www.chinaunicom.com./
Take care!
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