Apple’s iPhone Air Set for Pre-Order Launch in China This Week
Apple has officially confirmed that the new iPhone Air will be available for pre-order in China starting Friday, October 17. The announcement follows regulatory approvals granted to major Chinese telecom operators for eSIM services, paving the way for the model’s release.
The iPhone Air, priced from 7,999 yuan ($1,121.56), will be the first Apple model in China to feature full embedded digital SIM (eSIM) support. This move marks a significant step for Apple’s local market strategy, aligning with the country’s growing adoption of eSIM technology.
According to a website linked to China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the nation’s three major telecom carriers — China Mobile, China Telecom, and China Unicom — have all obtained regulatory clearance to begin trial eSIM services.
Apple CEO Tim Cook, currently visiting Shanghai, shared the announcement on Weibo, writing:
“Excited to announce iPhone Air will be available next week and pre-orders start this Friday, October 17!”
This pre-order milestone comes just a few weeks after the iPhone 17 launch in China, showing Apple’s continued focus on strengthening its position in the world’s largest smartphone market.
