Apple has announced an updated iPad 10 for China with eSIM support. This is the first iPad to launch in the country with eSIM connectivity.
For now, the new iPad supports eSIM on China Unicom’s network.
Updated iPad 10 is the same as the previous model
The company unveiled the new iPad 10 with eSIM compatibility carrying the model number A3162 alongside the cheaper Apple Pencil via a press release. Barring the eSIM standard, this is the same iPad 10 that Apple launched in 2022. So, it packs a 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display, an A14 Bionic chip, a landscape front camera, and a USB-C port.
Despite the addition of eSIM, the tablet retains a physical SIM card slot. So, customers can stick to their existing physical SIM card if they wish to. With eSIM though, anyone buying the updated cellular iPad 10 can directly connect to China Unicom’s mobile network in the country. As of now, other carriers in China do not support eSIM. iPad 10 units sold in the US are already compatible with eSIM.
iPhones sold in China do not support eSIM
iPhone 14 and iPhone 15 Pro units sold in the US only have eSIM compatibility and lack a physical SIM card slot. In other parts of the world, iPhones and cellular iPads feature a physical SIM slot alongside eSIM support. But in mainland China, none of the iPhone units sold are compatible with eSIM, likely due to regional restrictions or laws.
Apple could be working closely with China Unicom to test the eSIM rollout in China. The company did something similar in the US before going all in on the tech, starting with the iPhone 14 Pro in the region in 2022.
Preorders for the updated iPad 10 with eSIM support in China begin on October 19. The tablet will hit retail stores starting October 25.
