The new iPhone 17 series is experiencing unprecedented demand in China, shattering all previous pre-order records for iPhones in the region.This surge comes despite a delay in the release of the iPhone Air, Apple’s ultra-thin model, due to eSIM regulatory hurdles.

According to the South China Morning News, the e-commerce giant JD.com saw a higher volume of pre-order traffic in the first minute of availability than it did during the entire first day of iPhone 16 pre-orders. the standard iPhone 17 model with 256 GB of storage has proven notably popular among consumers.

iPhone Air Faces Regulatory Delays

Apple has temporarily suspended pre-orders for the iPhone Air due to unresolved regulatory issues. This model is the first iPhone in China to exclusively feature an integrated eSIM,which has presented challenges for local authorities. While other iPhone 17 models continue to use physical SIM cards, the eSIM in the iPhone Air allows for a larger battery but initially restricts the device to China Mobile’s network.

The overwhelming demand for the iPhone 17 caused temporary access issues to Apple’s pre-order website.Some users reported delays of up to five minutes in receiving payment confirmations. Furthermore, initial pick-up slots for the iPhone 17 Pro Max in Shanghai were fully booked within 20 minutes of going live.As of Saturday, waiting times for all iPhone 17 variants in certain Chinese provinces have extended to mid-October.

“The standard iPhone 17 model is considered attractive because it for the first time contains a promotion display (1 to 120 Hertz with Always-on screen).”

Chinese Market Shows Signs of Recovery

The iPhone 17 series includes the iPhone Air with a new form factor, along with notable design changes in other models.The iPhone 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max feature a redesigned “Camera Plateau,” new aluminum casings, and a vibrant orange colour option. The standard iPhone 17 stands out with its promotion display (1-120 Hertz with Always-on screen), faster processor, and enhanced cameras.Despite expectations, prices have remained stable, with the base model now offering 256 GB of storage instead of 128 GB.

Apple has faced challenges in the Chinese market recently, with government subsidies favoring domestic brands and a patriotic campaign discouraging the purchase of Apple products. Though, the market appears to be gradually recovering, and the iPhone 17’s strong performance suggests a notable acceleration of this trend.