Apple Sees Record iPhone 17 Demand in China Amid iPhone Air Delay
Strong pre-orders for the flagship model are offset by regulatory hurdles for the new eSIM-only iPhone Air, creating a mixed picture for the tech giant.
Apple Inc. (AAPL) is facing a mix of bullish and bearish signals from its operations in China, one of its most critical international markets. While the company's newly unveiled iPhone 17 is seeing record-breaking pre-order demand, the highly anticipated launch of the ultra-thin iPhone Air has been unexpectedly postponed due to local regulatory issues.
The initial market response to the flagship iPhone 17 has been overwhelmingly positive. Chinese e-commerce platform JD.com reported that sales in the first minute of availability for last year's iPhone 16 series. The high demand, particularly for the standard 256GB model, caused Apple's website to struggle under the traffic and led to extended delivery estimates, with some customers now waiting until mid-October. This robust early demand signals strong consumer appetite for the iPhone 17's upgraded features, which could provide a significant revenue boost for the upcoming quarter.
However, this enthusiasm is tempered by the unforeseen delay of the iPhone Air. The device, which features a new, thinner design, is Apple's first global model to launch without a physical SIM card tray, relying entirely on eSIM technology. The launch has been held up as the company awaits regulatory approval from China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT). , removing the initial launch date and stating that release information will be provided later.
For investors, this creates a complex scenario. The exceptional pre-order numbers for the iPhone 17 reinforce Apple's brand power and ability to drive sales in the competitive Chinese smartphone market. Conversely, the iPhone Air delay highlights the persistent regulatory risks associated with operating in the country. The situation postpones a key product launch and raises questions about the timeline for widespread eSIM adoption in China. and regulators to resolve the issue, but a firm timeline for the iPhone Air's availability remains uncertain. The market will be closely watching how quickly Apple can navigate these regulatory hurdles versus how much momentum the powerful iPhone 17 sales can generate in the interim.