Key Takeaways
- iPhone Air pre-orders in China begin October 17 after eSIM regulatory approval.
- All three major Chinese telecom operators cleared for trial eSIM services.
- The device is priced from 7,999 yuan ($1,121.56).
Apple’s iPhone Air will finally launch in China, with pre-orders starting October 17, after the country’s major telecom operators received regulatory approval for eSIM services. This breakthrough resolves the primary barrier that had delayed the device’s availability in the Chinese market.
eSIM Hurdle Cleared for iPhone Air Launch
China’s three major telecom companies—China Mobile, China Telecom, and China Unicom—have all been cleared by regulators to provide trial eSIM services. The iPhone Air is the only model in Apple’s lineup featuring eSIM functionality worldwide due to its slim design, priced from 7,999 yuan ($1,121.56).
The regulatory approval removes a significant barrier to the iPhone Air’s Chinese launch, where eSIM technology has previously faced restrictions due to government concerns about telecommunications control.
Official Announcement and Pre-order Details
Apple CEO Tim Cook, currently in Shanghai, confirmed the news on Weibo: “Excited to announce iPhone Air will be available next week and pre-orders start this Friday, October 17!” This announcement comes weeks after the iPhone 17’s launch in the country.
Apple’s AI Ambitions in China
Separately, Apple is working to bring Apple Intelligence features to China. A February report claimed the company is partnering with Alibaba to roll out AI features for iPhone users. According to The Information, Apple had previously selected Baidu as its main partner, but development progress fell short of Apple’s standards.
