iPhone Air to Launch in China This Week

[MacRumors]

The iPhone Air will be available for pre-order in China this Friday, Apple CEO Tim Cook today said on Weibo during a visit to the country.

Apple initially postponed the release of the iPhone Air in China while it worked with mainland authorities to resolve regulatory issues related to the device's eSIM requirement. The iPhone 17, 17 Pro, and 17 Pro Max already went on sale with the global launch as normal.

At 5.6mm thick, the iPhone Air does not have a physical SIM slot, and is limited to eSIM-only operation. That's a problem in China, since carriers have not traditionally supported eSIM for the iPhone even though it's widely used around the world. Apple has said 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."

The iPhone Air starts from 7,999 yuan in China. Pre-orders will open on Friday, October 17, with launch on Wednesday, October 22.

Article Link: iPhone Air to Launch in China This Week

 

[DelayedGratificationGene]

Once again Tim Cook navigates to perfection. He is a phenomenal CEO. Apple is a great company and I am proud to be a shareholder. Ok don’t hate on me too much lol. Have a great day everyone!

 

[Hank001]

Some numbers on this website:

eSIM Growth Worldwide: Regions, Usage, and Market Insights​

 

[SidricTheViking]

Nice that the only non-17-branded model is launching on the 17th.
Absolutely nothing of significance to see here, folks, please move along to something more important.

 

[ifxf]

This is the nail in the coffin of physical sims.

 

[JPack]

Battery life is a paramount feature in China. The Air is going up against devices like $159 Huawei phones with 6,600 mAh SiC batteries. I wouldn’t expect any breakthrough in sales.

 

[bmark]

You can pre-order iPhone Air in China! No guarantee a provider will be able to provide e-SIM service though.

 

[ShufromChina]

I would expect certain group of customers will go for it because of its premium look and feel. Those people are the ones who don't mind getting a 2nd or even 3rd phone--all premium ones--and picking one for every occasion. But for those looking to use it as their main phone, I highly doubt it will sell well.

 

[ProbablyDylan]

I expect it to do well in China! It's right in line with their cultural beauty standards.

 

[lazyrighteye]

While such an impressive device in-hand, I'm curious to learn how its tradeoffs will be received by that audience.

 

[goshya]

The iPhone Air in China will include special firmware to prevent the use of foreign eSIMs. I’m not a fan of country-specific firmware, as it restricts features like FaceTime audio calls, disables the option to turn off the shutter sound (Japan), prevents disabling battery sounds, or won’t allow the installation of foreign eSIMs.

As someone working in China, I’ll need to carry two phones once the iPhone adopts eSIM-only functionality in all markets next year. This is because I don’t want a Chinese iPhone due to the above restrictions, and international iPhones won’t support Chinese eSIMs.

 

[oyqy]

Welp, if only it had come out with all other models. Since now I already have the iPhone 17 Pro Max, I’ll just have to wait for the next generation of the iPhone Air.

 

[oyqy]

The iPhone Air in China will include special firmware to prevent the use of foreign eSIMs. I’m not a fan of country-specific firmware, as it restricts features like FaceTime audio calls, disables the option to turn off the shutter sound (Japan), or prevents disabling battery sounds.

As someone working in China, I’ll need to carry two phones once the iPhone adopts eSIM-only functionality in all markets next year. This is because I don’t want a Chinese iPhone due to the above restrictions, and international iPhones won’t support Chinese eSIMs.

If it’s anything like the iPad, it only prevents you from using foreign eSIMs when you’re in China, no restrictions when you travel elsewhere.

 

[nateo200]

If it’s anything like the iPad, it only prevents you from using foreign eSIMs when you’re in China, no restrictions when you travel elsewhere.

I believe this is correct. I thought this was how it worked on existing iPhone's tbh

 

[iMac The Knife]

I don't think this will sell well in China. To be honest, with the price of the Air for the specs you get, it shouldn't sell well anywhere.

 

[duranduran]

Once again Tim Cook navigates to perfection. He is a phenomenal CEO. Apple is a great company and I am proud to be a shareholder. Ok don’t hate on me too much lol. Have a great day everyone!

It's Thanksgiving today (2nd Monday of October), not April's Fool. haha 🍁

 

[con2apple]

Can we take another look at the promotional photo?

Perfectly shaped, balanced, elegant, clean lines, well-proportioned...
all terms that do not apply to the iPhone Air.

It is thin – as long as you deliberately, almost blindly, ignore the huge bulge at the top.

 

[M5RahuL]

Once again Tim Cook navigates to perfection. He is a phenomenal CEO. Apple is a great company and I am proud to be a shareholder. Ok don’t hate on me too much lol. Have a great day everyone!

You forgot the /s

 

[SouthPalito]

Battery life is a paramount feature in China. The Air is going up against devices like $159 Huawei phones with 6,600 mAh SiC batteries. I wouldn’t expect any breakthrough in sales.

People purchasing extremely expensive phones in China are not the same ones who would consider opting for a $159 Huawei phone.

 

[SouthPalito]

I don't think this will sell well in China. To be honest, with the price of the Air for the specs you get, it shouldn't sell well anywhere.

The target customer is not buying for the specs. They're buying because of the light weight and design/looks

 

[iMac The Knife]

The target customer is not buying for the specs. They're buying because of the light weight and design/looks

Exactly. They can't be buying it for the specs, because the specs are trash for the price. That's my point.

 

[LoCarbHotrod]

The target customer is not buying for the specs. They're buying because of the light weight and design/looks

I'm not sure why people don't get this.

 

[LoCarbHotrod]

Exactly. They can't be buying it for the specs, because the specs are trash for the price. That's my point.

Why does it upset you that options exist? Not everyone wants a full size SUV.

 

[JPack]

People purchasing extremely expensive phones in China are not the same ones who would consider opting for a $159 Huawei phone.

The point is the feature mix. If Huawei is willing to put a 4G chipset with LCD just so they can put in a SiC battery, it tells you battery life is a really important selling point.

 

[iMac The Knife]

Why does it upset you that options exist? Not everyone wants a full size SUV.

I always push for options. It's the value for the price that doesn't hold water here. But, if you want to buy one, go for it. You can do whatever you want with your money.