// Global Analysis Archive
Apple will hold its spring product launch event in Shanghai on March 4, the first time it has staged such an event in China, according to invitations cited by TechNode. The launch will run alongside synchronized hands-on media sessions in New York and London, with expectations of updates across iPhone, iPad, and Mac product lines.
Online videos since Jan. 22 suggest Shenzhen’s Huaqiangbei technicians have modified Apple’s iPhone Air to support a physical SIM tray by machining the motherboard and replacing the Taptic Engine with a custom component. If accurate, the development highlights the sophistication and speed of China’s aftermarket hardware ecosystem in addressing regional device configuration constraints such as eSIM-only models.
Apple will hold its spring product launch event in Shanghai on March 4, the first time it has staged such an event in China, according to invitations cited by TechNode. The launch will run alongside synchronized hands-on media sessions in New York and London, with expectations of updates across iPhone, iPad, and Mac product lines.
Online videos since Jan. 22 suggest Shenzhen’s Huaqiangbei technicians have modified Apple’s iPhone Air to support a physical SIM tray by machining the motherboard and replacing the Taptic Engine with a custom component. If accurate, the development highlights the sophistication and speed of China’s aftermarket hardware ecosystem in addressing regional device configuration constraints such as eSIM-only models.
| ID | Title | Category | Date | Views | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RPT-1258 | Apple Sets First China-Based Spring Launch in Shanghai, Signaling Elevated Market Priority | Apple | 2026-02-17 | 0 | ACCESS » |
| RPT-204 | Huaqiangbei Technicians Reportedly Add Physical SIM Slot to iPhone Air via Board-Level Retrofit | Shenzhen | 2026-01-26 | 1 | ACCESS » |