So that’s where Dell phones might end up. Computer maker Dell has been hinting for a few months now that it will enter the smartphone market, though it was reported that American carriers were unimpressed by its first efforts, rejecting them as “too Dell-like.” But what may be boring in one country, may be much more interesting in another. IDG News (via NetworkWorld) is reporting today that the computer maker is talking with China Mobile to offer a smartphone based on the carrier’s mobile operating system.

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Zhang Jun, an analyst at research firm Wedge MKI, told IDG that China’s overwhelmingly dominant mobile carrier is looking at a couple of Dell’s smartphone models with a possible deal to distribute one or two of them reached by August. This would then clear the way for Dell devices to hit the Chinese market by the end of the year. China Mobile was unavailable for comment, while a Dell spokesperson declined to comment.

Zhang said that China Mobile was hoping that a “flashy Dell addition” will stand out from its “currently drab” handset offerings, which have done little to entice Chinese consumers to the carriers 3G services. On Thursday, Dell is planning to launch in China its netbook, the Inspiron Mini 10, based on China Mobile’s 3G technology, TD-SCDMA.