Photograph/Graphics: D. Griffin Jones/Rajesh Pandey/Cult of Mac
After a month’s delay, Apple will launch the iPhone Air in China on Wednesday, October 22. Preorders for the gadget will start this Friday, October 17.
Apple pushed again the iPhone Air’s September launch in China on the final minute attributable to regulatory hurdles round eSIM assist.
iPhone Air preorders go stay this Friday in China
Whereas unveiling the iPhone Air, Apple mentioned the super-slim iPhone preorders would open in China on the identical day (September 12) as the remainder of the world. However just a few hours earlier than preorders went stay, it delayed the telephone’s launch within the nation.
Again then, an Apple spokesperson mentioned it was “working intently with regulatory authorities to convey it to China as quickly as doable.” The delay stemmed from the iPhone Air being an eSIM-only gadget.
Now, throughout his go to to China, Apple CEO Tim Cook dinner introduced on Weibo that the iPhone Air will launch within the nation on October 22. Clients can preorder the telephone from later this week, beginning October 17.
Strict eSIM rules led to iPhone Air’s launch being delayed
China has strict rules surrounding eSIM. It requires shoppers to go to their nearest retail shops to confirm their id and activate the road.
As a result of this, eSIM adoption shouldn’t be widespread in China. Nonetheless, the iPhone Air will assist eSIM on all three main carriers: China Unicom, China Cellular and China Telecom. Nonetheless, the assist will rely upon regulatory approval.
It appears Apple cleared the mandatory hurdles, paving the best way for iPhone Air’s launch within the nation.
China is one in all Apple’s largest markets for the iPhone. The iPhone 17 has already shattered iPhone 16 preorder numbers within the nation by an enormous margin.
Whereas the iPhone Air could not replicate that degree of success given the trade-offs it makes for its ultra-slim design, there ought to nonetheless be sturdy demand for it.
