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iPhone Air has launched with eSIM as the only option and that makes it difficult for Apple to sell in some of its biggest markets.
iPhone Air comes with eSIM support and that is an issue
iPhone Air has launched as Apple’s slimmest model in its history. The sleek device does take a hit with the number of cameras, and loses out on the regular SIM slot as well. And that means, you are left with an eSIM-only iPhone model that might work in countries like the US and parts of Europe but some of Apple’s important markets will face some challenges.
So it hardly comes as a surprise that the iPhone Air launch in China has been delayed, even though the other iPhone 17 models are in big demand.
iPhone Air Launch Delayed: Not Surprising
China and even India to some extent have not opened the gates for eSIM-based devices, even though you get the service in the latter through operators. Apple has seen its iPhone sales in China drop in the last few quarters, so having any interest around the iPhone Air model will test the patience of the buyers, who will need the government to approve using eSIM-only iPhones in the region.
Prior to the launch, reports claimed Apple started training its employees and staff at other stores to set up eSIMs on iPhones and also help them explain to the customer how they benefit from its use. Apple has been selling eSIM variants in the US since it launched the iPhone 14 series, while other regions got the physical SIM slot because of compatibility and market trends.
We expected Apple to stick to its market-centric approach and offer the eSIM variant in the current regions but it seems the iPhone Air dimensions have made it harder to add the extra slot. That’s not all, even the battery pack inside the Air model is not the biggest, and while Apple claims all-day battery life, we can’t say that for certain.
iPhone Air will be available in India priced at Rs 1,19,900 which makes it an expensive replacement for the outgoing iPhone 16 Plus version. All the four models will be available from September 19 in the region with the iOS 26 version running out of the box. The iPhone 17 launch is unlikely to end Apple’s focus on new products for 2025 and there could be another big lineup coming out soon.
S Aadeetya, Special Correspondent at News18 Tech, accidentally got into journalism 10 years ago, and since then, has been part of established media houses covering the latest trends in technology and helping fr…Read More
S Aadeetya, Special Correspondent at News18 Tech, accidentally got into journalism 10 years ago, and since then, has been part of established media houses covering the latest trends in technology and helping fr… Read More
September 16, 2025, 10:03 IST
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