Apple’s planned iPhone Ultra release in China is reportedly delayed compared with other markets, with reports pointing to problems involving eSIM activation and related carrier compliance.
Multiple outlets cite a Weibo leaker, Instant Digital, saying Apple’s shipping timeline for the foldable iPhone will lag behind other regions. One report links the concern to difficulties that emerged during China’s earlier shift to eSIM-only models. It notes that the iPhone Air was the first eSIM-only iPhone sold in China and faced delays tied to compliance and operational issues around activating and managing eSIMs.
Across the coverage, the focus is on eSIM processes rather than the device itself: outlets describe potential friction with carrier support and eSIM handling, including activation, replacement, and transfers. While one outlet frames the delay as part of Apple’s broader pattern of staggered market rollout, both accounts attribute the China-specific timing problem to eSIM-related carrier issues, consistent with the earlier China experience. Neither source provides an official Apple confirmation or a specific new release date.
