The iPhone Air is now available for pre-order in over 60 countries. In China, however, eager buyers will have to wait, despite Apple’s earlier announcement that pre-orders would begin there today.
According to The South China Morning Post, Apple is facing regulatory hurdles in China due to the iPhone Air being eSIM only. The publication reports that the company is working with the authorities in mainland China to resolve the issues.
Apple has reportedly confirmed that all three major Chinese carriers are prepared to support eSIM on the iPhone Air, pending regulatory approval. However, the company has not provided a release timeline yet.
Currently, the iPhone Air pre-order page on the Apple Store website in China reads ‘Release information will be updated later.’
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The iPhone Air is available globally in an eSIM-only variant, a move Apple says allowed for a larger battery inside the device.