Apple to Launch iPhone Air Pre-Orders in China Following eSIM Approval

Apple (AAPL, Financials) said it will begin taking pre-orders for the new iPhone Air in China this Friday after regulators approved eSIM services for the country's major telecom operators.

The iPhone Air, priced from 7,999 yuan, will be the first Apple model in China to support eSIM a digital version of the traditional SIM card that lets users activate a mobile plan without inserting physical hardware.

The change simplifies setup and aligns China's iPhone lineup with other global markets where eSIM is standard.

China Mobile, China Telecom, and China Unicom received the go-ahead to begin eSIM trials this week, paving the way for the launch.

Excited to announce iPhone Air will be available next week and pre-orders start Apple CEO Tim Cook said on Weibo during a visit to Shanghai.