Here’s the deal with the iPhone Air in China
Why is this important?
Tim Cook announced that iPhone Air pre-orders will begin on October 17 in China. , Image Credit – Weibo
Apple pushing the eSIM issue in China is a significant power move. China is a huge, important market and its carriers have been slow to adopt eSIM due to regulatory barriers. While some competing Android flagships, like Huawei’s Pura 70 Pro, offer eSIM capabilities, it’s far from the standard. Many high-end home phones still rely on the traditional dual-SIM setup that users there have come to expect.
By launching a high-profile, eSIM-only device, Apple is essentially emboldening the industry to change things. It is a condition that the appeal of iPhone Air That would be enough to get both carriers and consumers to adopt the new standard. For a market that values flexibility, this may be a difficult change, but it’s one that will accelerate the move away from plastic SIM cards for everyone.
Resistance seems futile at this point
I’m not going to lie, I’m dragging my feet on the whole eSIM-only future. I don’t always like being forced to a new standard, especially when it takes away real control of the physical SIM card. That simple pop-and-swap when you travel or test out a new phone is a convenience that software menus and QR codes can’t replicate. It seemed 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 suit. Seeing them grow like this in a market as huge and complex as China is the ultimate sign that the days of physical SIMs in flagship phones are numbered. As much as I’ve resisted it, and as much as I value that little piece of plastic, it seems like it’s time to realize that the fight is over. This is where the industry is going, whether we like it or not.
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