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iPhone Air is an eSIM-only model from Apple that is available across the world and in China that was a challenge.
The eSIM iPhone Air model finally gets the approval to launch in the country
Apple is all set to launch the iPhone Air model in China after multiple reports confirmed that the telecom operators in the region have got the approvals to support eSIM services on the device. iPhone Air is the first Apple device to come with eSIM as the primary network option, which meant that the company had to delay its release in one of its biggest markets.
The iPhone Air pre-orders will start later this week, and people looking to buy the Air model can sign up for the eSIM registration with their operator to make the switch from a physical to eSIM version.
iPhone Air Launching In China: About Time
According to Reuters, the three biggest operators in the country: China Telecom, China Mobile and China Unicom have got the approval to run eSIM services on a trial basis. Apple CEO Tim Cook had a part to play in the iPhone Air launch getting the green flag, and he was excited to share the update about the iPhone Air pre-order and availability in China via a post on Weibo which is Chinese social media platform.
As you might know, 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.
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.
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 is priced in India at Rs 1,19,900 which makes it an expensive replacement for the outgoing iPhone 16 Plus version. The Air model will be retailing at CNY 7,999 (Rs 96,500 approx.) in China.
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
October 14, 2025, 11:25 IST
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