While Apple works to get local regulatory approvals for its embedded SIM technology, Chinese customers will have to wait for the eSIM-only iPhone Air. Apple has launched its most recent iPhone 17 series in most countries.
Due to the delay, Apple’s Chinese website now indicates that the iPhone Air’s release date will be “updated later.” Although final regulatory approval is still pending, all three state-owned carriers—China Mobile, China Telecom, and China Unicom—plan to support the phone’s eSIM. No launch date was specified, a Weibo post by China Mobile verified that the network has enabled eSIM services for mobile phones. In the meantime, China Telecom highlighted the continued regulatory uncertainty by momentarily announcing a September 19 launch on RedNote before taking down the post.
However, to get the device into China “as soon as possible,” Apple told local media that it is collaborating with authorities. The iPhone Air completely eliminates the physical SIM tray and is Apple’s thinnest phone to date, measuring only 5.6mm. China has historically been cautious, citing security and identity verification concerns, even though eSIM adoption is widespread in markets like the United States, Japan, and Gulf nations.
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In the past, Apple only collaborated with China Unicom, necessitating manual activation in-store. The business currently has contracts with all three of the major carriers, but each one is pending final government approval from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), which is in charge of data security and telecom infrastructure, BrandSpur digital news platform reports.
Apple’s second-largest market is China, so any delays in flagship models could have an impact on the company’s quarterly results. According to IDC, between 5 and 7% of Apple’s larger model shipments worldwide will be the iPhone Air. Due to local carriers’ inability to support foreign eSIM profiles, consumers who buy the device overseas may experience compatibility problems. The iPhone Air is priced at ₹1,19,900 and is available for preorder in more than 60 countries worldwide, including India. Even as Apple phases out physical SIMs to make room for slimmer designs and larger batteries, the delay in China highlights the difficulties of a consistent worldwide rollout.
