Apple has delayed the launch of the new iPhone Air in China, citing regulatory hold-ups related to its eSIM functionality. The thinnest iPhone ever made, which has eliminated the physical SIM tray entirely, requires eSIM support from local carriers — a requirement that must clear China’s regulatory hurdles before launch.
Pre-orders and delivery dates for the iPhone Air in other markets remain as planned, but on Apple’s China webpages the section for iPhone Air release has been updated to read “release information to be updated later” — replacing earlier dates when pre-orders were supposed to begin (September 12) and deliveries to start (September 19). South China Morning Post
Key Reasons for the Delay
- eSIM only design: The new iPhone Air lacks a physical SIM tray, relying entirely on embedded SIM (eSIM) technology — which must be supported by all three major state-owned telecom operators (China Mobile, China Unicom, China Telecom) in China.
- Regulatory approval pending: Even though Chinese carriers are preparing to provide eSIM support, they are waiting for timing and specifics from regulators to do so officially.
- Physical SIM requirements in China: Many current mobile phone and telecom regulations in China still expect or require phones to have physical SIM cards (or at least have infrastructure ready for them), making an eSIM-only design a regulatory challenge.
Implications
- Chinese consumers who were planning to get the iPhone Air immediately are facing uncertainty and may need to wait longer than buyers in other regions.
- Apple’s sales momentum in China could be affected, especially since iPhone Air is a high-profile new model. Delays may shift demand or give competitors an edge.
- Carriers in China will need to speed up readiness for eSIM provisioning, staff training, and regulatory compliance.
- Regulatory precedent: How China handles the approval of eSIM-only phones could influence future device designs not just for Apple, but for other manufacturers too.
What We Still Don’t Know
- The exact new launch date in China for iPhone Air. Apple has said “as soon as possible,” but no firm timeline has been announced.
- Whether Apple will issue a China-specific version of the iPhone Air with a physical SIM tray to comply with local rules. Some reports suggest that may be difficult due to the thinness and design constraints.
- How much of an impact this will have on Apple’s broader China strategy, including pricing, marketing, and product versions.
Context & Background
- Apple unveiled the iPhone Air on September 9, 2025, alongside the iPhone 17 series. The iPhone Air is the thinnest iPhone Apple has produced, and it uses a breakthrough design with no physical SIM tray.
- In many countries, eSIM support is becoming more common, but China has been slower in implementing support for fully eSIM-based phones. Regulatory approvals and telecom infrastructure are still catching up.
