Apple(US:AAPL) 3 6 Ke·2025-10-14 23:41Core Points - The iPhone Air will officially be available for pre-order in China starting October 17 and will be released on October 22, marking its entry into the domestic market as the first pure eSIM phone [1][3] - The launch of the iPhone Air signifies the beginning of eSIM technology implementation in the Chinese mobile phone market [3][4] eSIM Policies and Procedures - All three major telecom operators in China (China Unicom, China Mobile, and China Telecom) support eSIM services, but users must visit a physical store to activate or switch to an eSIM [6][11] - China Unicom has the broadest range of accepted identification documents for eSIM activation, while China Mobile and China Telecom have more limited options [8][10] - Users can convert their existing physical SIM cards to eSIMs at the store, but the original physical SIM will become inactive after conversion [11] eSIM Capacity and Limitations - The iPhone Air can store and activate a maximum of two eSIMs simultaneously, which is fewer than the international version that supports up to eight [12] - Users can add international eSIMs only when they are outside of China, and the total number of eSIMs that can be stored may reach eight when including international cards [14][15] - There are restrictions on the number of new eSIM activations and replacements per month, with a maximum of two new activations and five replacements allowed [19][20] Device Compatibility and Restrictions - The domestic version of the iPhone Air is pre-installed with a trust certificate necessary for activating local eSIMs, making it incompatible with international versions [16][18] - Users must visit a store to deactivate or cancel eSIM services, similar to the process for physical SIM cards [22] Market Position and Consumer Sentiment - The iPhone Air's pricing and eSIM limitations may affect its market appeal, especially compared to the iPhone 17 standard version [23][25] - Despite its limitations, the iPhone Air represents a significant step in the adoption of eSIM technology in China, appealing to consumers who prioritize design and brand over technical specifications [25]