Apple has postponed the launch of its new iPhone Air in China, as it works with mainland authorities to resolve regulatory issues related to the device’s eSIM, according to a report from South China Morning Post.
The report says Apple on Friday morning updated its Chinese website to replace the original September 12 pre-order and September 19 launch schedule for the iPhone Air with the words “release information to be updated later.” Pre-orders for the iPhone 17, 17 Pro, and 17 Pro Max will kickoff as originally scheduled.
The 5.6mm thick iPhone Air does not have a physical SIM slot, and is a eSIM-only device. Unfortunately, Chinese carriers have not traditionally offered support for eSIM for the iPhone even though it is now widely used around the world.
Previously, Apple had worked exclusively with China Unicom to provide eSIM support for the device. Now Apple says that all three state-owned telecommunications network operators – China Unicom, China Mobile and China Telecom – will “provide eSIM support [with] specific timing subject to regulatory approval.”
China Mobile had posted on Weibo that it had “enabled eSIM services for mobile phones,” also saying details regarding the launch date “would be announced separately.”
