The iPhone Air, starting at 7,999 yuan (about $1,122), will be the first and only iPhone model in China to support eSIM technology—a digital alternative to traditional SIM cards embedded directly into the device.
According to a notice posted on a website affiliated with China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), the country’s three major carriers—China Mobile, China Telecom, and China Unicom—have all been authorized to begin trial eSIM services. The development paves the way for Apple to roll out the feature to Chinese users for the first time.
Apple CEO Tim Cook, currently visiting Shanghai, confirmed the announcement in a post on Chinese social media platform Weibo. “Excited to announce iPhone Air will be available next week and pre-orders start this Friday, October 17!” he wrote, adding to the growing anticipation around Apple’s latest product launch in the country.
The move marks a significant milestone for Apple’s operations in China, where regulatory restrictions have long limited the adoption of eSIM technology. Industry analysts say the approval signals a broader shift by Chinese authorities toward digital connectivity standards already in use across Europe and North America.
The iPhone Air’s launch comes just weeks after the release of the iPhone 17, as Apple continues to strengthen its foothold in one of its most competitive and strategically important markets.