Overview

• The ultra-thin iPhone Air ships without a SIM tray and relies solely on eSIM, creating activation constraints under mainland regulations.
• Apple says China Unicom, China Mobile and China Telecom will support eSIM once approved, with China Mobile signaling service enablement but no launch date.
• For now, buyers in China must use China Unicom and complete in‑store ID verification to activate service on the iPhone Air.
• Only the China‑specific iPhone Air model A3518 accepts mainland carrier eSIMs, and devices bought outside the mainland cannot install China eSIMs while located there.
• Apple removed the iPhone Air preorder timeline in China, though iPhone 17, 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max remain on track for September 19, and analysts warn initial Air shipments could be slow.