eSIM-Only iPhone Air Available in China Through China Unicom

[baconcat_8964]

I think they are already limiting foreign unapproved iPhones by locking 5G behind international eSIM whether the region has 5G signals or not. I can only use 4G with Telstra eSIM.

Might be a policy limitation, a frequency band difference, or just carriers havn't make a deal for 5G international roaming. But overall I keep pessimistic on China's mobile phone eSIM implementation.

Only need passport? If that’s the case that is relatively easy.

They used to require a working visa or permernant residency for buying a phone number, which looks like only for people who work and live in China for longer period, not for short term tourists. But the policy was changed in 2024, now any foreigner with passport can buy a SIM with phone number.

 

[Shirasaki]

Might be a policy limitation, a frequency band difference, or just carriers havn't make a deal for 5G international roaming. But overall I keep pessimistic on China's mobile phone eSIM implementation.

They used to require a working visa or permernant residency for buying a phone number, which looks like only for people who work and live in China for longer period, not for short term tourists. But the policy was changed in 2024, now any foreigner with passport can buy a SIM with phone number.

That’s interesting. At least for short term visits those numbers can come handy. And telecoms can dump “unwanted” numbers to foreigners who don’t care about “4” “5” etc. superstition stuff.

 

[Shirasaki]

Is that new? In 2016 when I went only cities like Shanghai permitted visa free entry for Americans and only for 6 days if you had a ticket out of China from the same airport of entry.

The policy for US citizens are still fairly strict and limited but for many other countries the visa-free is 30 days so there’s that. Maybe some changes are made but I am not too sure.

 

[svish]

Good to know. Nothing beats the convenience of a physical SIM. However expecting carriers to make it easier in the future. In my country switching eSIM to physical SIM is still a bit of hassle. Apple will have eSIM only in the future.

 

[Cod3rror]

This is presented like it's something positive. But it isn't. SIM + eSIM is the best combination.

 

[jeremydc]

Also, an iPhone Air bought in China will not support FaceTime audio (no Chinese iPhone does).

Yup, I live in China atm. Same goes for other devices. No FaceTime audio on Mac’s /ipads.

 

[AlanBeyond]

Getting a Chinese plastic SIM card with Chinese phone number only requires a passport though. Cheap as well.

The problem is in the future when all foreign models abandon physical SIM tray

 

[noeXzTi_]

Yup, I live in China atm. Same goes for other devices. No FaceTime audio on Mac’s /ipads.

AFAIK Macs and iPads do have FaceTime Audio as long as they are configured to other region rather than China mainland and do not have cellular connectivity (for the iPad)

 

[racerhomie]

No changes for your foreign-bought iPhone. You can still use international eSIMs while in China.

Chinese authorities do not want their citizens using Chinese iPhone Airs to install international eSIMs whilst in China though, as this would allow them to bypass the Great Firewall of China. Nice that they will allow the use of international eSIMs when abroad. Anyway, sounds to me like some messed-up iPhone Air firmware for the phones sold in China. Similar to the firmwares that don’t allow the use of FaceTime Audio in China and Saudi Arabia or the mandatory shutter sound in Japan and Korea.

Saudi Arabia has since allowed activation of FaceTime Audio

 

[ncc1701d]

I can not speak for MLC, but I just contacted my provider in Hong Kong (China Mobile HK), and they said they support the new iPhone 17 e-sim. In order to have it activated, you have to take it in store. I have global roaming and never had any issues when travelling to MLC.

 

[CaffeLatte029]

In other words, anyone traveling to China with a none Chinese iPhone Air will not be able to get a local eSim - great?!

If you are just traveling, you don’t really need one as international eSIM providers such as Airalo and Holafly sell packages for China. If you reside here long term and you only have an eSIM only iPhone, that would be affected as you would most likely need a Chinese phone number to live here.