Apple has quietly pushed back the iPhone Air launch in China, with its usual September 12 pre-order and September 19 release schedule now replaced by a vague “release information to be updated later.” Apple is releasing the iPhone Air with one big difference from the rest of the lineup, which is that the device is only available in eSIM configuration, a system that is not widely available in China.
Apple delays iPhone Air launch in China as eSIM hurdles and pending regulatory approvals stall the device’s release
China is one of the biggest markets for Apple, and it has struggled for a long time to compete against the region’s biggest competitors like Xiaomi and Huawei. After years of neglect, the company finally launched a product which would have the potential to do well in the Chinese market, but unfortunately, the device comes without a physical SIM card slot.
At just 5.6mm thin, the iPhone Air forgoes a physical SIM card slot entirely, which is a first for China, as the region still relies on physical SIM cards. The company was initially reported to partner with China Unicom to handle eSIM activation, which would require walk-in verification to get eSIM running, but the plan has now shifted. Apple is now working to bring three major Chinese telecom network providers, including Unicom, China Mobile, and China Telecom, on board, but at this time, regulatory approval is still pending.
China Mobile has even posted on Weibo that it has “enabled eSIM services for mobile phones,” but it has not shared a timeline for when the iPhone Air users will actually be able to use them. The broader carrier support could help Apple reach more buyers once the regulatory authorities approve the move. Outside of China, things are pretty straightforward for the company, as pre-orders for the iPhone Air are expected to begin on schedule in the United States on Friday.
The iPhone Air is an important phone for Apple in China, which will allow it to compete better against competition from Huawei, Xiaomi, and other major contenders. We will let you know when pre-orders go live, so be sure to keep an eye out.
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