Week of October 18-25, 2025
1. ๐จ๐ณ China Ends eSIM Freeze: iPhone Air Sells Out in Minutes
Chinaโs three major telecom operators received commercial eSIM trial approval on October 13, 2025, ending a two-year freeze. Appleโs iPhone Air, the first eSIM-only smartphone in China, sold out within minutes of its October 17 launch. China Unicom recorded over 170,000 eSIM pre-orders by October 15. Apple introduced eSIM Quick Transfer for seamless device switching without visiting carrier stores. Domestic manufacturers Huawei and Oppo announced eSIM-enabled devices launching by year-end, marking a pivotal shift in Chinaโs telecommunications landscape.
Sources: – Light Reading: https://www.lightreading.com/smartphones-devices/new-iphone-drives-china-onto-the-esim-bandwagon – Reuters: https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/iphone-air-begin-pre-order-china-after-telecom-operators-approved-esim-services-2025-10-13/
2. ๐ฐ Travel eSIM Market Explodes with 85% Revenue Growth
Travel eSIM revenue will reach $1.8 billion by end of 2025, representing 85% growth from $989 million in 2024, according to Juniper Research. This expansion is driven by increasing cost-effectiveness compared to traditional roaming services. Connectivity-as-a-Service platforms have lowered entry barriers, enabling new businesses to launch travel eSIM offerings quickly. Major mobile operators are expected to launch their own travel eSIM services in 2026 to retain roaming revenue and compete with third-party providers.
Sources: – Globe Newswire / Juniper Research: https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2025/10/13/3165285/0/en/Travel-eSIMs-Surge-as-Roaming-Alternative-Up-85-in-2025.html – Juniper Research: https://www.juniperresearch.com/research/telecoms-connectivity/roaming/travel-sims-esims-market-research-report/
3. ๐ฌ iSIM Technology Achieves Commercial Release for IoT Mass Production
Qualcomm and Thales released industry-certified integrated SIM (iSIM) products compliant with GSMA specifications. Unlike eSIM chips soldered onto circuit boards, iSIM integrates directly into device processors at nanometer scale, dramatically reducing size and energy consumption. Kaleido Intelligence forecasts the iSIM market will reach 300 million units by 2027, representing 19% of all eSIM shipments. The technology enables ultra-compact IoT sensors, connected wearables, and minimalist devices while maintaining remote provisioning capabilities and security standards.
Sources: – GSMA: https://www.gsma.com/solutions-and-impact/technologies/esim/isim-opens-a-new-world-of-opportunity-for-mobile-and-iot-innovation/ – Globe Newswire / Kigen: https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2025/10/23/3172334/0/en/Kigen-Wins-IoT-Solution-of-the-Year-in-2025-Mobile-Breakthrough-Awards-Program.html
4. ๐ข MWC Shanghai 2025 eSIM Summit Highlights Industry Convergence
The eSIM Summit at Mobile World Congress Shanghai 2025 explored convergence of AI, 5G, and eSIM technologies. GSMA Product Director Chris Li announced that by 2028, over 50% of smartphone connections will use eSIM technology. China Unicom forecasted Chinaโs eSIM market entering high-growth phase from 2025, powered by AI-driven smart terminals. Discussions included SGP.32 commercial readiness and global interoperability across 300+ mobile operators. The summit emphasized collaboration between operators and manufacturers for scaling adoption.
Sources: – GSMA: https://www.gsma.com/solutions-and-impact/technologies/esim/gsma_resources/esim-summit-at-mwc-shanghai-2025-watch-on-demand/ – MWC Shanghai: https://www.mwcshanghai.com/agenda/sessions/5590-esim-summit-chinas-esim-journey
๐ Key Statistics This Week
- $1.8 billion – Travel eSIM market revenue by end of 2025
- 85% – Year-over-year revenue growth in travel eSIM sector
- 170,000+ – China Unicom eSIM pre-orders by October 15
- 300 million – Projected iSIM market size by 2027
- 50%+ – Smartphone connections expected to use eSIM by 2028
Newsletter prepared: October 25, 2025
Coverage period: October 18-25, 2025
Total sources: 10 professional media and industry organizations