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28m ago

China Approves eSIM Phone Trials, Unlocking iPhone Air Preorders Oct. 17 and Launch Oct. 22

Trial constraints include in‑store activations at some operators, plus reports of non‑mainland units failing eSIM checks.

iPhone Air preorders go live in China soon.
A person holds an iPhone air during Apple's event at the Steve Jobs Theater on its campus in Cupertino, California, U.S. September 9, 2025. REUTERS/Manuel Orbegozo
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Overview

  • China Mobile, China Unicom and China Telecom received regulatory clearance on Oct. 13 to run commercial eSIM trials for phones nationwide and began announcing service or reservation channels.
  • Apple confirmed the eSIM‑only iPhone Air for mainland China with preorders starting Oct. 17 and retail sales on Oct. 22 at a starting price of 7,999 yuan.
  • China Telecom opened eSIM phone service across 31 provinces during the trial period with offline, in‑person activation required, while China Mobile pledged support spanning phones, smartwatches, tablets and vehicle devices.
  • China Unicom launched a national eSIM reservation portal, reporting more than 60,000 sign‑ups at the time of coverage.
  • Apple’s FAQ states China units bought from apple.com are unlocked and support travel eSIMs; a blogger reported Hong Kong iPhone Air models failed to provision mainland China Mobile/Unicom eSIM profiles due to IMEI or certificate verification.