IPhone 17 Pre-Orders Surge Delaying iPhone Air Launch in China, India

Apple's iPhone 17 series has seen an exceptionally strong start to pre-orders globally, with particularly high demand in China and India. In China, the base iPhone 17 with 256GB storage has topped sales charts on platforms like JD.com, breaking previous records with first-minute sales surpassing last year's first-day totals, despite delays in the iPhone Air launch due to regulatory issues with eSIM technology. This surge led to technical difficulties on Apple's website and extended delivery times, with some regions facing waits into mid-October. Similarly, India has experienced higher pre-order volumes than previous years, bolstered by Apple's expanded retail presence and growing manufacturing investments; the new titanium-designed iPhone Air has drawn significant consumer interest there. Supply constraints are evident, especially for the ultra-slim iPhone Air, which is also facing regulatory delays in China, while other models like the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max show strong performance. Overall, Apple's ability to meet demand will be critical as most sales are expected to be recognized in the holiday quarter, reflecting both the company's market strength and ongoing challenges in supply and regulation.