Apple has delayed the launch of its new iPhone Air in mainland China due to regulatory approval issues. The company's China website has been updated to reflect that the release information will be updated later. Pre-orders were originally scheduled to begin on September 12, with the launch slated for September 19, but this has been postponed indefinitely.

The primary reason for the delay is the iPhone Air's exclusive use of eSIM technology. Unlike other iPhone 17 models that support physical SIM cards, the iPhone Air does not have a physical SIM slot due to its ultra-thin design of just 5.6mm. This poses a challenge in China, where eSIM technology is not as widely adopted, and carriers have not traditionally supported eSIM for iPhones.

According to Wedbush analysts, the Chinese government requires wireless carriers to obtain a special license before selling devices with eSIM technology. Apple is reportedly working with Chinese authorities to resolve these regulatory hurdles. This includes collaborating with all three state-owned telecommunications network operators – China Unicom, China Mobile, and China Telecom – to provide eSIM support, though the specific timing is subject to regulatory approval. China Mobile has announced that it has enabled eSIM services for mobile phones, but launch date details will be announced separately.

Despite the setback in China, pre-orders for the iPhone 17, 17 Pro, and 17 Pro Max models are proceeding as scheduled in the region, as these models still offer physical SIM card support. Customers in other major markets, including the United States and India, can pre-order the iPhone Air, with availability beginning on September 19. In India, the iPhone Air is priced starting at INR 119,900 for the 256GB model.

Analysts believe that the delay in China is a temporary setback, expressing confidence that Apple will eventually secure the necessary approvals. They also anticipate that strong pre-orders for the iPhone 17 will offset any potential financial impact from the delayed launch of the iPhone Air in China.

The iPhone Air, unveiled at Apple's 'Awe Dropping' event on September 9, is the thinnest iPhone ever made. It features a titanium design, a 6.5-inch Super Retina XDR display with ProMotion, and is powered by the A19 Pro chip. The device is available in four colors: space black, cloud white, light gold, and sky blue.