Apple CEO Tim Cook announced that pre-orders for the new iPhone Air will commence in China on October 17, with sales starting on October 22. The announcement came during a surprise appearance on a Douyin livestream, marking a significant development as the phone's launch was previously delayed due to regulatory hurdles surrounding its eSIM-only technology. The iPhone Air is the first iPhone in China to rely exclusively on eSIM, and its launch required approval from the country's major telecom operators, which has now been granted. During his visit to China, Cook confirmed the launch on the Chinese social media platform Weibo. The iPhone Air is positioned between the iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro series, with pricing starting at 7,999 yuan ($1,100) for the 256GB model.