It is claimed that Apple may launch the foldable iPhone Ultra model in some markets later than planned. According to information provided by Instant Digital, known for its posts about Apple on Weibo, the foldable iPhone’s release in China may not occur on the same date as in other countries. It is stated that the reason behind the delay is the eSIM-related problems that Apple previously encountered with the iPhone Air. iPhone Ultra, which is said to not have a physical SIM card slot, will be the second eSIM-only iPhone model sold in China. In addition, claims that the initial production quantity of the device may be limited stand out as a second factor that may affect the sales schedule in China.
Apple began the process of removing the physical SIM card slot in the US a few years ago. The company focused on using only eSIM in the iPhone 15 series sold in the USA and did not include a physical SIM card slot. While this transition took place without any major problems in the US market, conditions in China were different. iPhone Air was the first iPhone to be offered for sale in the country with only eSIM support, but there were delays in the sales process due to regulatory compliance and operator requirements. Although nearly a year has passed, it is stated that operations such as eSIM activation, transferring eSIM to another phone and redefining the subscription during device replacement have not become easy enough for users in China.
iPhone Ultra may be delayed in China due to eSIM
According to Instant Digital, the main problem that the iPhone Ultra will face in China emerges at this point. While the foldable phone is expected to offer only eSIM support, the current activation and subscription transfer processes in China may make it difficult to launch the device smoothly. Especially when the phone is replaced or replaced with a new one within the scope of service, moving the eSIM profile requires a process in which operators play a greater role compared to physical SIM card replacement. Since it is not enough for Apple to remove the physical SIM slot on the hardware side, the infrastructure of the operators and local regulations can also directly affect the sales calendar. Therefore, it seems possible that the iPhone Ultra will reach Chinese users after it goes on sale in other countries.
The same problem is not expected to occur on the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. Allegedly, Apple will continue to offer physical SIM and eSIM support together in these two models. This structure is similar to the method used in current iPhone models sold in China and many international markets. It is thought that the limited space inside the device is responsible for the foldable iPhone Ultra’s decision to give up the physical SIM card slot. A similar approach was used on the iPhone Air, which stands out with its extremely thin body, and the removal of the SIM tray provided Apple with additional space for the placement of the battery and other components.
Apple is expected to introduce the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max and foldable iPhone Ultra models on September 10. According to the schedule given in the source, pre-orders for the three models are planned to start on Friday, September 11. However, eSIM regulations in China may not only affect the iPhone Ultra’s global sales schedule. Another claim that emerged before was that Apple may not be able to prepare enough iPhone Ultras for all major markets at the same time in the first production period. In this scenario, the company may first offer the foldable model for sale in the USA and then take it to other important markets as production capacity increases.
Although giving up the physical SIM card slot is a technically understandable choice due to the thin body structure of the foldable iPhone, the conditions of eSIM use that vary from country to country create additional difficulties for Apple. While removing the physical SIM may not change the user experience much in markets where eSIM infrastructure is widely used, such as the USA, operator and regulatory requirements in China reveal a different picture. In addition, the limited production capacity claimed for the first foldable iPhone may make it difficult for sales to start in all markets at the same time. For now, this information has not been confirmed by Apple and the company’s official sales calendar will become clearer with the introduction. Despite this, the process experienced with the iPhone Air provides a concrete historical example for the claims that the iPhone Ultra may go on sale in China later than in other markets.
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