Apple has officially announced that on September 9th, it will unveil its latest iPhone 17 series smartphones.

This new lineup includes four distinct models: the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Air, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max.

In a departure from the previous generation, which featured a single Plus model, the iPhone 17 Air steps in as its successor.

The previous Plus model fell short of expectations. Its only upgrade over the standard version was a marginally larger screen, yet it commanded a 1,000 yuan premium, rendering it less cost-effective and leading to sluggish sales. Consequently, Apple has decided to discontinue it this time around.

The iPhone 17 Air, in contrast, boasts a more distinct identity with its slim and lightweight design. It is rumored to be just 5.5mm thick, making it the thinnest iPhone ever produced.

To achieve this feat, Apple has made several compromises, including a single-camera setup, a modest 2800mAh battery, and the adoption of eSIM technology.

Apple has high hopes for the iPhone 17 Air, banking on its slim and lightweight profile to make it a hit, at least outperforming the Plus model in terms of popularity.

However, recent reports have cast doubt on its availability in China. It appears that the iPhone 17 Air may not be initially offered in the Chinese market, with only the other three models making their debut.

The absence of a Chinese version stems from the eSIM card issue. Currently, the three major Chinese carriers have not fully rolled out eSIM policies for mobile phones and are still in the process of optimizing them.

Therefore, even if the iPhone 17 Air were to enter the Chinese market, it would be unable to function as a traditional phone due to the lack of SIM card support, rendering it essentially an iPhone without calling capabilities. As a result, Apple has opted not to include the Chinese market in its initial launch.

On a brighter note, there are stocks of the Chinese version iPhone 17 Air. Apple is currently in negotiations with the three major carriers, and it is anticipated that their eSIM policies will be finalized soon, paving the way for the Chinese version iPhone 17 Air to hit the shelves.

However, I must caution against purchasing the Air model, even if the carriers' eSIM policies become more lenient in the future. Despite its slim and lightweight design, the iPhone 17 Air has several drawbacks, including short battery life, subpar camera performance, inconvenient eSIM usage, and a hefty price tag. It's a deal that's not worth the money, and buyers may end up regretting their decision. What's your take on this?