Apple has indefinitely postponed the rollout of its new iPhone Air model in China amid regulatory obstacles tied to its exclusive eSIM setup, according to local media. Although Apple’s other new iPhone 17 variants have gone up for pre-order—with orders starting on September 12 and shipments set for September 19—the Air version was notably absent from these launch plans.
The core issue stems from Apple’s decision to remove the physical SIM card from the iPhone Air in favour of eSIM-only functionality. While major Chinese telecom providers—China Unicom, China Telecom, and China Mobile—have pledged support for eSIM, Apple is still navigating regulatory approval for this configuration. This regulatory gap appears to have stalled the Air’s official release in the country.
Pricing for the iPhone Air begins at 7,999 yuan, putting it above the base iPhone 17, which starts at 5,999 yuan. Meanwhile, the Pro-tier models carry an even higher price tag. Despite the delay, Apple’s public site in China makes no mention of new release or pre-order dates for the Air model, unlike the other iPhone 17 variants which are following their scheduled rollouts.
The delay has already had a slight impact on Apple’s stock, with shares slipping slightly in premarket trading. As of now, Apple is reportedly cooperating closely with Chinese regulators to address the outstanding eSIM licensing issues and ensure compliance.
The Air is marketed as an ultrathin member of Apple’s latest lineup, with its streamlined design and absence of a physical SIM slot being key features. Apple has touted the design as leap-forward, using eSIM as part of that slim form factor.
Consumers in China eager for the Air model will have to wait until Apple resolves the regulatory matters associated with eSIM technology. Until then, the product’s official availability remains undetermined.