Apple Said to Postpone iPhone Air Launch in China Due to eSIM Regulatory Challenges
Apple unveiled the iPhone Air on September 9 during its ‘Awe Dropping’ launch event, alongside the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max. Touted as the company’s thinnest iPhone ever at just 5.6mm, the iPhone Air is designed with an eSIM-only configuration, eliminating the physical SIM slot to make room for a larger battery. While the device is already available for pre-orders in 63 countries, its rollout in China faces a delay due to compliance hurdles with eSIM regulations. Apple is reportedly engaging with local authorities to address the issue.
According to a report from the South China Morning Post, Apple has quietly updated its Chinese iPhone Air order page. The original launch schedule, which listed pre-orders starting September 13 and deliveries beginning September 19, has now been replaced with a vague message stating that “release information will be updated later.” This confirms that Chinese customers will not receive the iPhone Air alongside other markets as initially expected.
In an effort to reassure consumers, Apple has stated through Chinese media outlets that it is “working closely with regulatory authorities” to ensure the iPhone Air enters the market as soon as possible. While China Unicom, China Mobile, and China Telecom are expected to support the iPhone Air’s eSIM technology, the official green light depends entirely on regulatory approval. This is a shift from Apple’s earlier stance, where only China Unicom had partnered with the company for eSIM-based devices.
The setback underscores Apple’s ongoing challenges in navigating China’s strict telecom policies, even as the country remains one of its most critical markets. Until the regulatory issues are resolved, Chinese buyers will have to wait longer to get their hands on the iPhone Air, despite its availability in dozens of other countries worldwide.