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iPhone Air has launched with eSIM as the only option and that builds it difficult for Apple to sell in some of its largegest markets.
iPhone Air comes with eSIM support and that is an issue
iPhone Air has launched as Apple’s slimmest model in its history. The sleek device does take a hit with the number of cameras, and loses out on the regular SIM slot as well. And that means, you are left with an eSIM-only iPhone model that might work in countries like the US and parts of Europe but some of Apple’s important markets will face some challenges.
So it hardly comes as a surprise that the iPhone Air launch in China has been delayed, even though the other iPhone 17 models are in large demand.
iPhone Air Launch Delayed: Not Surprising
China and even India to some extent have not opened the gates for eSIM-based devices, even though you obtain the service in the latter through operators. Apple has seen its iPhone sales in China drop in the last few quarters, so having any interest around the iPhone Air model will test the patience of the purchaseers, who will required the government to approve utilizing eSIM-only iPhones in the region.
Prior to the launch, reports claimed Apple started training its employees and staff at other stores to set up eSIMs on iPhones and also assist them explain to the customer how they benefit from its utilize. Apple has been selling eSIM variants in the US since it launched the iPhone 14 series, while other regions received the physical SIM slot becautilize of compatibility and market trfinishs.
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We expected Apple to stick to its market-centric approach and offer the eSIM variant in the current regions but it seems the iPhone Air dimensions have created it harder to add the extra slot. That’s not all, even the battery pack inside the Air model is not the largegest, and while Apple claims all-day battery life, we can’t declare that for certain.
iPhone Air will be available in India priced at Rs 1,19,900 which builds it an expensive replacement for the outgoing iPhone 16 Plus version. All the four models will be available from September 19 in the region with the iOS 26 version running out of the box. The iPhone 17 launch is unlikely to finish Apple’s focus on new products for 2025 and there could be another large lineup coming out soon.
S Aadeetya, Special Correspondent at News18 Tech, accidentally received into journalism 10 years ago, and since then, has been part of established media houtilizes covering the latest trfinishs in technology and assisting frifinishs build the right gadobtain purchase. You can follow him at @aadee_ram on X
September 16, 2025, 10:03 IST
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