At the crack of dawn on September 10th (Beijing Time), Apple held its 2025 autumn new product launch event, where it unveiled a range of products including the iPhone 17, iPhone Air, and iPhone 17 Pro. One particular aspect that caught the eye was the promotional image of the iPhone Air on Apple's official South Korean website. In contrast to the pinching gesture featured on websites in other countries to emphasize its slender design, the South Korean site opted to omit this gesture entirely, presenting only the product prototype.
On September 11th, a reporter confirmed this discrepancy and reached out to Apple's (China) official customer service for clarification. The customer service representative acknowledged that adjustments had indeed been made. Apple explained that prior to releasing promotional animations, it conducts thorough surveys and tailors the content based on the unique cultural backgrounds of each country, with South Korea being a case in point.
According to the product details, the iPhone Air boasts an incredibly slim profile, measuring just 5.6 millimeters in thickness and weighing approximately 165 grams. It exclusively supports eSIM cards and features a 6.5-inch Super Retina XDR display. Powered by a suite of Apple-designed chips, including the A19 Pro, the network wireless chip N1, and the cellular modem C1X, it stands out as the most energy-efficient iPhone to date.
On the official websites of countries such as China, the United States, and Japan, the pinching gesture is employed to highlight the iPhone Air's slim design. However, this gesture holds a negative connotation and is considered taboo within South Korean online culture, prompting Apple to make the necessary adjustments for the South Korean market.