After a month’s delay, Apple will launch the iPhone Air in China on Wednesday, October 22. Preorders for the device will begin this Friday, October 17.
Apple pushed back the iPhone Air’s September launch in China at the last minute due to regulatory hurdles around eSIM support.
iPhone Air preorders go live this Friday in China
While unveiling the iPhone Air, Apple said the super-slim iPhone preorders would open in China on the same day (September 12) as the rest of the world. But a few hours before preorders went live, it delayed the phone’s release in the country.
Back then, an Apple spokesperson said it was “working closely with regulatory authorities to bring it to China as soon as possible.” The delay stemmed from the iPhone Air being an eSIM-only device.
Now, during his visit to China, Apple CEO Tim Cook announced on Weibo that the iPhone Air will launch in the country on October 22. Customers can preorder the phone from later this week, starting October 17.
Strict eSIM regulations led to iPhone Air’s launch being delayed
China has strict regulations surrounding eSIM. It requires consumers to visit their nearest retail stores to verify their identity and activate the line.
Due to this, eSIM adoption is not widespread in China. However, the iPhone Air will support eSIM on all three major carriers: China Unicom, China Mobile and China Telecom. However, the support will depend on regulatory approval.
It seems Apple cleared the necessary hurdles, paving the way for iPhone Air’s launch in the country.
China is one of Apple’s largest markets for the iPhone. The iPhone 17 has already shattered iPhone 16 preorder numbers in the country by a huge margin.
While the iPhone Air may not replicate that level of success given the trade-offs it makes for its ultra-slim design, there should still be strong demand for it.
