Here’s the deal with the iPhone Air in China
Why this is important
Tim Cook announces that iPhone Air preorders will start on October 17th in China. | Image credit — Weibo
Apple forcing the eSIM issue in China is a significant power move. China is a massive, critical market, and its carriers have been slow to adopt eSIMs due to regulatory hurdles. While some competing Android flagships, like Huawei’s Pura 70 Pro, do offer eSIM capabilities, it’s far from standard. Many high-end domestic phones still rely on traditional dual-SIM setups, which users there have come to expect.
By launching a high-profile, eSIM-only device, Apple is essentially strong-arming the industry into changing things up. It’s a bet that the appeal of the iPhone Air will be enough to get both carriers and consumers to embrace the new standard. For a market that values flexibility, this could be a bumpy transition, but it’s one that will accelerate the move away from plastic SIM cards for everyone.
The resistance feels futile at this point
I’m not going to lie, I’ve been dragging my feet on the whole eSIM-only future. I’ve always disliked being forced into a new standard, especially when it takes away the tangible control of a physical SIM card. That simple pop-and-swap when you travel or test a new phone is a convenience that software menus and QR codes just can’t replicate. It feels like a solution to a problem that didn’t really exist.
But let’s be real. When Apple removes a feature, it’s usually gone for good, and the industry eventually follows. Seeing them make this same push in a market as massive and complex as China is the final signal that the physical SIM’s days are numbered in flagship phones. As much as I’ve resisted it, and as much as I value that little piece of plastic, it feels like it’s time to realize the fight is over. This is where the industry is headed, whether we like it or not.
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