SOURCE RESEARCH
The eSIM Smartphone Opportunity in China
Report | 3Q 2025 | AN-6455
Get The ReportDespite Apple’s less prominent position in the Asia-Pacific smartphone market, it will resume its usual role as a key driver of eSIM through this launch. Initial devices are anticipated to be offered by the end of 4Q 2025/start of 1Q 2026, beginning with a few key flagships, particularly from Apple. If the pilot scheme meets expectations, growth will be steady, with significant acute jumps when additional devices are made available.
Despite the significant overall market, large-scale adoption of eSIM will take some time, with large market players like HONOR, OPPO, vivo, and Xiaomi likely to ramp up penetration from 2H 2026. For Samsung, eSIM penetration is already high and has been steadily growing for some time, but with a large Asia-Pacific presence, the China launch will accelerate adoption yet further.
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