On September 10th at 1 AM Beijing time， Apple officially launched four new iPhone models: the iPhone 17， iPhone 17 Pro， iPhone 17 Pro Max， and iPhone Air. The first three models began pre-orders on September 12th and will be officially available on September 19th.
However， the iPhone Air’s release has been postponed. Apple issued a statement explaining that the new iPhone Air features an exceptionally thin and light design， making it more durable than any previous iPhone. It boasts professional-grade performance， an innovative Center Stage front-facing camera， a 48-megapixel fusion camera system， and all-day battery life. Apple expressed eagerness for users to experience the iPhone Air and stated they are working closely with regulatory authorities to ensure its timely launch in China.
Blogger “Ding Jiao Shu Ma” (定焦数码) suggested that the delay is partly due to Apple’s misjudgment of the market situation. The analysis points to insufficient inventory for the iPhone Air， with stock levels deemed too low to support a simultaneous global launch. This strategic miscalculation in production planning appears to be a primary factor behind the delayed availability.
The blogger further speculated that the delay might also be related to carrier agreements. Initially， the iPhone Air was slated to exclusively support eSIM through China Unicom. However， after further coordination， all three major Chinese carriers will now offer eSIM support for the device. This， combined with Apple’s inadequate stock， has contributed to the postponement of the iPhone Air’s launch.
Apple’s official website has been updated， confirming that the iPhone Air will activate carrier networks via eSIM and does not support physical SIM cards. To use eSIM， customers will need to select a carrier that supports eSIM and a corresponding mobile service plan. China Mobile， China Telecom， and China Unicom will provide eSIM support for this product; the exact timing is subject to regulatory approval. Customers are advised to contact their carriers to confirm eSIM support availability.
As Apple’s thinnest and lightest iPhone to date， the iPhone Air measures only 5.6 millimeters in thickness and features a 6.5-inch display. It is powered by the A19 Pro processor. Apple CEO Tim Cook described it as a “disruptive innovation，” with a starting price of 7999 yuan.
