Apple has abruptly pushed back the start of preorders for its highly anticipated iPhone Air in mainland China, a decision that diverges from its initial global rollout schedule. The preorders were originally slated to open simultaneously in China and the United States at 8 a.m. Eastern Time today, with the device expected to reach full retail availability by September 19. However, visitors to Apple’s Chinese online store now encounter a far more uncertain message, which states that official release information will be updated at a later date. This abrupt change in plans strongly suggests that ongoing regulatory complexities—most notably those concerning the implementation of embedded SIM (eSIM) technology—are at the heart of the delay.
While Apple’s other newly introduced devices, the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max, have proceeded unaffected and are already available for preorder in China with shipping commencing next week, the iPhone Air stands apart due to its exclusive reliance on eSIM functionality. Unlike a conventional physical SIM card, an eSIM is a programmable, embedded component that enables carriers to directly provision mobile services digitally. Despite Apple’s confidence in this forward-looking technology, eSIM adoption has not gained widespread traction in China. Devices manufactured specifically for the Chinese market have historically lacked this feature entirely, which has often created significant practical difficulties for Chinese users trying to remain connected overseas, as well as for foreign travelers using mainland China–based models in other regions.
Historically, no previously released iPhones have included eSIM capabilities within China, and Apple’s new iPhone 17 lineup also excludes this feature in the Chinese market. Therefore, Apple’s move to design the iPhone Air as an exclusively eSIM-enabled smartphone worldwide created an immediate regulatory tension in regions where the technology is not yet officially supported or widely implemented.
Earlier in the week, Apple’s official support documentation for eSIM within China explicitly stated that China Unicom was the nation’s sole compatible carrier for iPhone eSIM service. However, a recent update to that same support page now reflects a more tentative and ambiguous stance. It explains that, pending approval from government regulators, all three of China’s government-owned telecommunications giants—China Mobile, China Telecom, and China Unicom—are expected to eventually extend their support for eSIM technology. This revision underscores Apple’s anticipation of significant regulatory developments that may help pave the way for the iPhone Air’s eventual approval and launch within the country.
Adding further confirmation to these interpretations, the South China Morning Post has reported that Apple assured Chinese press outlets it is actively engaged in discussions and close collaboration with the nation’s regulators. The company emphasized that it is working diligently to resolve outstanding compliance requirements so that the iPhone Air may reach Chinese consumers as quickly as possible. While the precise timeline remains uncertain, the company’s public communication indicates both its determination to align with regional requirements and its belief that a resolution is likely to be reached in the not-too-distant future.
Sourse: https://www.theverge.com/news/777023/iphone-air-launch-delayed-china-esim-issues
