IPhone Air Photo: VCG
Apple Launches eSIM-Only iPhone Air in Mainland China After Brief Delay
After about a month's delay, Apple has officially launched the eSIM-only iPhone Air in mainland China.
The new device became available on Wednesday, with long lines forming outside Apple Stores in Beijing as customers arrived to pick up their pre-ordered phones, according to on-site observations by the Global Times.
Pre-orders for the iPhone Air began on October 17, and the first batch of buyers received their devices in stores or by courier this week. Apple's website now lists new orders as unavailable for in-store pickup, with delivery dates expected between October 30 and November 6.
The iPhone Air is available in four colors — Space Black, Cloud White, Light Gold, and Sky Blue — and comes with storage options of 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB. Prices start at 7,999 yuan.
Unlike previous models, the iPhone Air does not include a physical SIM slot. Instead, it supports up to two eSIMs. China's three major carriers — China Mobile, China Telecom, and China Unicom — all provide eSIM activation services for the new model. Customers can visit carrier outlets with valid identification to activate their eSIM profiles.
All iPhones purchased from Apple's official Chinese website are unlocked, meaning buyers can freely choose their carrier and plan without being tied to a contract. Once activated, the phone remains carrier-unlocked and compatible with any network that supports iPhone service, according to Apple.
On the same day pre-orders opened, China's major telecom operators released detailed instructions on how to apply for eSIM services. Some users on the social media platform Weibo shared that their eSIM registration process at carrier stores went smoothly.
Earlier this month, on October 13, the three major Chinese carriers announced that they had received approval to begin commercial trials of eSIM mobile services, according to state broadcaster CCTV News.
Apple isn't the only company moving in this direction. Domestic smartphone maker OPPO is preparing to release its Find X9 Pro with eSIM support, while Huawei and Vivo are also expected to launch compatible devices soon, China Star Market reported.
Industry analysts say Chinese smartphone makers have already rolled out eSIM versions of their products in overseas markets, so adapting them for the mainland market should be relatively straightforward.
Global Times
Source:https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202510/1346236.shtml
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