We may earn a commission if you make a purchase from the links on this page.
Apple's shiny new iPhone Air has hit a major roadblock, with its launch in mainland China getting unexpectedly delayed. The issue boils down to regulatory hurdles surrounding the phone's eSIM-only design, a technology that China hasn't fully embraced just yet.
So, what's happening with the iPhone Air in China?
If you were a customer in mainland China hoping to pre-order Apple's sleek, new, ultra-thin iPhone Air this morning, you were met with disappointment. Instead of an "add to cart" button, Apple's Chinese website displayed a message saying, "Release information will be updated later. All models will be released after approval." This is a significant hiccup, as Apple had initially planned to launch the Air in China on the same schedule as the US and other key markets.
According to a report from Mark Gurman at Bloomberg, the entire problem stems from a design choice. To achieve its remarkable thinness, the iPhone Air ditches the physical SIM card tray entirely, relying solely on embedded SIM, or eSIM, technology. This is a non-issue for the other new models—the iPhone 17, 17 Pro, and 17 Pro Max—which all launched as planned in the region because they still include a physical SIM slot for the Chinese market.
iPhone 17: $0.00/mo. at Verizon
$0
/mo
$23
05
$23 off (100%)
Get the iPhone 17 and enjoy improved design, better battery life, and top-tier performance. Right now, you can get the phone for $0.00/mo. with Unlimited Welcome, Unlimited Plus or Unlimited Ultimate plan.
The slimmest iPhone is here! You can now buy the powerful iPhone Air at Verizon for $0.00/mo. with a new line activation on select Unlimited plans and a trade-in. This is an online-only offer.
This isn't just a minor logistical snag; it’s a collision between Apple's forward-looking design philosophy and the on-the-ground reality of a massive market. China's mobile infrastructure is still overwhelmingly built around physical SIM cards. Widespread adoption of eSIM is not yet the standard, and getting new tech approved by regulators can be a complex process.
Take Samsung, for example. Its super-thin Galaxy S25 Edge supports both eSIM and a physical SIM card. This hybrid approach offers the best of both worlds and avoids the exact kind of headache Apple is now facing. By going all-in on an eSIM-only design for the Air, Apple made a bet that has, at least for now, failed to pay off in one of its most crucial markets.
Will Apple restricting the iPhone Air to e-SIM only cause it to sell less?
Yes
75.68%
No
24.32%
Frankly, this is a bit of a mess
I am surprised that a company as detail-oriented and influential as Apple, didn’t have this squared away prior to launch day. Who knows, maybe they did and then something went wrong at the last minute.
All I know is that an eSIM-only phone is mostly fine here in the States, but it can be a real pain for frequent international travelers or, as we're seeing now, for entire countries. It sacrifices user flexibility at the altar of industrial design. The iPhone Air is for someone who prizes thinness above all else, but this delay proves that market readiness is just as important as a sharp design.
Johanna 'Jojo the Techie' is a skilled mobile technology expert with over 15 years of hands-on experience, specializing in the Google ecosystem and Pixel devices. Known for her user-friendly approach, she leverages her vast tech support background to provide accessible and insightful coverage on latest technology trends. As a recognized thought leader and former member of #TeamPixel, Johanna ensures she stays at the forefront of Google services and products, making her a reliable source for all things Pixel and ChromeOS.
A discussion is a place, where people can voice their opinion, no matter if it
is positive, neutral or negative. However, when posting, one must stay true to the topic, and not just share some
random thoughts, which are not directly related to the matter.
Things that are NOT allowed:
Off-topic talk - you must stick to the subject of discussion
Offensive, hate speech - if you want to say something, say it politely
Spam/Advertisements - these posts are deleted
Multiple accounts - one person can have only one account
Impersonations and offensive nicknames - these accounts get banned
To help keep our community safe and free from spam, we apply temporary limits to newly created accounts:
New accounts created within the last 24 hours may experience restrictions on how frequently they can
post or comment.
These limits are in place as a precaution and will automatically lift.
Moderation is done by humans. We try to be as objective as possible and moderate with zero bias. If you think a
post should be moderated - please, report it.
Have a question about the rules or why you have been moderated/limited/banned? Please,
contact us.
FCC OKs Cingular\'s purchase of AT&T Wireless
Things that are NOT allowed:
To help keep our community safe and free from spam, we apply temporary limits to newly created accounts: