Core Insights - The first domestic smartphone without a physical SIM card slot, the iPhone Air, has been launched, but the overall experience of activating eSIM in China is not ideal due to initial operational challenges and policy restrictions [1][17] Group 1: eSIM Activation Process - The process of converting a physical SIM to eSIM is similar to traditional SIM activation, taking about 5 minutes for the actual writing process, although additional time is spent on explanations and signing agreements [2][11] - Users must be physically present in the area of their original number to convert to eSIM, which can be inconvenient for those living in major cities away from their number's registered location [4][16] Group 2: Cost and Package Concerns - There are no additional fees for converting from a physical SIM to eSIM, although some users reported a temporary charge that was refunded [11] - Existing mobile plans can be retained without changes or extra fees when switching to eSIM, including bundled services [12] Group 3: eSIM Migration and Management - Users must visit a physical store to migrate eSIM to a new device or revert to a physical SIM, with a limit of five card replacements per month [14][16] - The current eSIM activation process is more cumbersome compared to overseas experiences, primarily due to the strong reliance on in-store procedures [16] Group 4: International Use and Compatibility - The iPhone Air can activate eSIM for domestic use, but it cannot write or activate foreign carrier eSIMs within China [8][9] - The device is designed to support global carrier frequencies, suggesting potential for international eSIM activation, though this remains untested [9]
国行 iPhone Air 首发实测:跑遍运营商,eSIM 的坑我们帮你都踩了