Apple(US:AAPL) Xin Lang Cai Jing·2025-10-13 14:16Core Viewpoint - Apple is increasingly adapting to the Chinese market, with CEO Tim Cook engaging directly with consumers through a live stream on Douyin to announce the pre-order and release dates for the new iPhone Air [1][4]. Group 1: Product Launch - The iPhone Air will be available for pre-order in mainland China starting October 17 and will officially launch on October 22 [1]. - The iPhone Air is Apple's thinnest iPhone to date, measuring 5.6 mm in thickness, and it exclusively uses eSIM technology, eliminating the physical SIM card slot [4]. Group 2: Market Readiness - The launch of the iPhone Air in mainland China was initially delayed due to the lack of eSIM support, but all three major telecom operators in China (China Mobile, China Unicom, and China Telecom) have now received approval to offer eSIM services [4]. - The transition to eSIM technology in China has primarily been seen in devices like smartwatches and tablets, but the introduction of eSIM for smartphones marks a significant shift in the market [4]. Group 3: Demand Analysis - Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo noted that while initial pre-order demand for the iPhone Air appears lower than that of the iPhone 16 Plus from the previous year, the production volume for the iPhone Air in Q3 2025 is expected to be three times that of the iPhone 16 Plus in Q3 2024, indicating a potential increase in demand over time [5]. - The unique positioning of the iPhone Air as a new product line means that demand will need to be observed over a longer period to gain a clearer understanding [5].