Apple Delays iPhone Air Launch in China Over Regulatory Approval, Citing eSIM Challenges (Photo: Apple Inc.)Apple Inc. has postponed the launch of its new iPhone Air in mainland China, citing delays in regulatory approval, a move that sets the country apart from other major markets where the device is already rolling out. When pre-orders for the iPhone Air opened Friday, Apple's China website blocked customers from placing orders, displaying the message: "Release information will be updated later. Apple said when it unveiled the iPhone Air that it would initially be supported by only one Chinese carrier, China Unicom. The iPhone Air's delayed release comes as Apple's other new devices - the iPhone 17, 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max - have gone on sale as scheduled in China. By contrast, the iPhone Air, standard iPhone 17 and 17 Pro models have not yet shown significant shipping delays in the U.S. within the first hour of pre-orders, suggesting production for those models remains on schedule.