According to market research firm Counterpoint Research, China has been delaying the application of eSIM on smartphones for many years due to regulatory and security issues.
Initially, eSIM was only used on smartwatches and IoT devices. Apple, Huawei, Xiaomi, OPPO and Vivo all sell phones with two physical SIM plugs in China. Although the international versions of these companies support eSIM, this feature is not available in China.
In October 2025, when China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology finally approved nationwide eSIM testing for smartphones, all three major carrier companies began providing eSIM services, officially bringing eSIM to the world's largest smartphone market. However, the implementation in China is still strictly controlled.
Apple is the first company to take advantage of the new regulations. In October 2025, the company launched the iPhone Air, the first iPhone in China to only support eSIM. This is beneficial for Apple because the company could sell a global model rather than having to produce a special edition exclusively for the Chinese market.
Compliance with local regulations means that Chinese iPhones only support domestic eSIMs, while overseas eSIMs have not yet been provided. However, the iPhone 17 Air, which only supports eSIM, gives Apple a strategic advantage in the high-end market in China and strengthens its global supply chain by simplifying production.
After Apple, Chinese phone companies have also quickly adjusted. Huawei launches Mate 70 Air - the first smartphone model of the company to support eSIM in China.
Oppo and Vivo have announced that their future phones will be equipped with eSIM. The new Vivo X200 series has been listed as having eSIM support.
Xiaomi, Honor and Samsung are slowing down. Their phones launched in 2025 and early 2026 still use physical dual SIMs, but future models are expected to switch.
According to market analysts, China's acceptance of eSIM smartphones marks a new phase for the country's mobile market. According to Counterpoint Research's Global eSIM Shipment Model Tracker, eSIM smartphones will account for 37% of total smartphone sales globally by 2025 and are expected to reach 48% by 2026.
eSIM not only supports communication but also takes up less space. As a result, brands can take advantage of this empty space to upgrade batteries, make larger camera sensors, or improve thermogenic technology. This is a premium feature that only appears on flagships.
However, over time, this technology can expand faster to mid-range and low-cost smartphones with the support of network operators.
