Nan Fang Du Shi Bao·2025-09-10 11:29Core Viewpoint - Apple's annual event on September 10 introduced the iPhone Air, which exclusively supports eSIM technology, raising significant attention in the market [2][4]. Group 1: eSIM Technology Overview - The iPhone Air can only be activated through eSIM, making it incompatible with physical SIM cards. Users must choose a carrier that offers eSIM services and obtain a corresponding mobile service plan [4]. - eSIM technology allows for remote configuration of multiple carrier profiles, saving internal device space and enhancing user connectivity management. This technology is increasingly important as traditional SIM card growth plateaus [7][10]. Group 2: Current Market and Regulatory Landscape - In China, only China Unicom currently supports eSIM for the iPhone Air, while China Mobile and China Telecom are preparing to offer eSIM services and have submitted applications to the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology [6][18]. - China Unicom has been a leader in promoting eSIM, having launched eSIM services in 25 provinces and cities, and has previously collaborated with Huawei and Apple for eSIM-enabled devices [11]. Group 3: Future Prospects and Challenges - Despite the push for eSIM, its adoption has been slow, with applications primarily in wearables rather than smartphones. The industry aims to eliminate physical SIM slots to enhance device design and performance [10]. - Regulatory bodies have paused eSIM services due to security concerns, but there are indications that the three major Chinese telecom operators plan to fully restart eSIM services by the end of the year [15][18].