2018 iPhones Said to Feature Both Embedded Apple SIM and Traditional SIM Card Tray

[MacRumors]

At least one of Apple's widely rumored trio of new iPhones expected to be unveiled this September will feature dual-SIM, dual-standby, according to Chinese news publication 21st Century Business Herald via LoveiOS.

A translated version of the article claims the functionality will be enabled by an embedded Apple SIM in the iPhones, in addition to a traditional SIM card placed into the usual tray. In China, where Apple SIM is not available, the report claims Apple will offer an iPhone with two physical SIM card trays.

Apple introduced its Apple SIM in 2014 to provide cellular iPad users with a convenient way to switch between carriers and use short-term data plans as needed, useful for those who travel between countries frequently. It works with select carriers in more than 180 countries and regions around the world.

Initially, the Apple SIM was only available as a physical card that needed to be inserted into the tray when needed, but it is now embedded inside the latest iPad Pro models. Apple still sells physical Apple SIMs at its retail stores in many countries for use with the lower-cost 9.7-inch iPad and other models.

The report doesn't specify which of the 2018 iPhones will have an embedded Apple SIM, but Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has previously said the 6.1-inch "budget iPhone X" and 6.5-inch "iPhone X Plus," but oddly not the second-generation 5.8-inch iPhone X, will support dual-SIM, dual-standby.

Kuo has also said Apple may release two 6.1-inch iPhone models, and in light of today's report, this could be referring to a nearly-worldwide variant with an embedded Apple SIM and a Chinese variant with dual SIM card trays.

All in all, it should be easier to switch between carriers and data plans on future iPhones, providing users with more flexibility.

Article Link: 2018 iPhones Said to Feature Both Embedded Apple SIM and Traditional SIM Card Tray

 

[Bornee35]

They should scale the number of SIM cards with the camera lenses for the hell of it.

 

[macduke]

Don't some carriers not play well with this because they lock the devices to the carrier after activation, even for people who bought the device outright? Wondering how they'll get around that.

 

[profets]

Interesting, I guess like the iPad Pro that has the embedded SIM and physical SIM.

I figure eventually once eSIM catches on with carriers that Apple would love to go eSIM only, and remove another port/opening on the device.

 

[Ds6778]

We all know it’ll lock to the first carrier you choose. Carriers manage to screw up things I didn’t know they could.

 

[foobarbaz]

Here in Germany dual sim are somewhat common for saving money, but not because of travel.

For some bizarre reason data that comes with phone plans is very expensive, yet “tablet plans” offer LTE data much much cheaper. So people actually use one SIM for data and another for calling.

This is so stupid. We have to have hardware solutions to problems caused by lack of competition ...

 

[Cayden]

I’m not very familiar with dual sims as nobody I know has a phone with this capability or even uses two different SIM cards for that matter. What’s the appeal of this, at least in the states? Is it mainly for travel or do people actually have two separate phone plans that are used on a daily basis?

 

[bartolo5]

Pixel 2 already does this, and it's great. You no longer need a SIM for supported providers, which in the case of the Pixel 2 the list is very short (Project Fi)

 

[69650]

The problem with the embedded Apple SIM in the iPad was the tariffs available were significantly more expensive than if you went direct to the same network and got one of their own physical SIMs. It was just ridiculous. I don’t know if that is still the case as I changed to the WiFi only version when I upgraded to the iPad Pro.

If the situation has improved I would love a dual-SIM iPhone so I could use one SIM for work and one for personal use rather than having to carry two mobiles.

 

[kstotlani]

I’m not very familiar with dual sims as nobody I know has a phone with this capability or even uses two different SIM cards for that matter. What’s the appeal of this, at least in the states? Is it mainly for travel or do people actually have two separate phone plans that are used on a daily basis?

Not sure if you noticed but there are a lot of people carrying two iPhones. One personal and the other corporate. It will make their lives simpler. I just use the same phone for office and work so it would be good to separate them. Travelers will definitely like this option. I am not sure Apple will do this though.

 

[bluecoast]

Not having to have a physical SIM will free up a tonne of space in a phone. I think that’s probably Apple’s main attraction to this.

 

[saudade]

Thiz is great. My gf can use official phone number abd the party fameles can use the other number. Perfecto

 

[Schranke]

I am wondering why they do not show the same courage as they did with the headphone jack

 

[WannaGoMac]

Since Apple got rid of the useful 3.5mm jack, they better get rid of that tray.

 

[barkomatic]

So, the accessible sim would be for our local carrier and the built in Apple sim would be for international travel and choices of pre-paid options would show up based on location? I'm confused as to exactly how that would work?

If it's vice versa, the Apple sim in for local and the accessible sim is for travel--then I'm still opening the sim tray to insert the local sim.

 

[dontwalkhand]

Here in Germany dual sim are somewhat common for saving money, but not because of travel.

For some bizarre reason data that comes with phone plans is very expensive, yet “tablet plans” offer LTE data much much cheaper. So people actually use one SIM for data and another for calling.

This is so stupid. We have to have hardware solutions to problems caused by lack of competition ...

Meanwhile US carriers are now all touting “free international”

I’m loving it. I can travel the world and literally use my phone like normal. No need to switch SIM cards or anything

 

[Googlyhead]

In something of (another) reversal from the norm; would this not make the "Chinese variant" the more desirable one?

 

[JPack]

I’m not very familiar with dual sims as nobody I know has a phone with this capability or even uses two different SIM cards for that matter. What’s the appeal of this, at least in the states? Is it mainly for travel or do people actually have two separate phone plans that are used on a daily basis?

The U.S. has a near oligopoly in the wireless market, so it wouldn't benefit Americans much.

In other parts of the world where competition is fierce, it's typical to have one voice SIM and a data SIM. Or two data SIMs with two competitive data packages.

Some consumers commute to work. e.g. Live in Shenzhen and work in Hong Kong.

 

[ph001bi]

In something of (another) reversal from the norm; would this not make the "Chinese variant" the more desirable one?

I am wondering the same thing. There might be restrictions with e-sim, which carrier, which country, would my phone be blocked to a particular network etc.
Two SIMs is a lot simpler in the short term.

 

[mi7chy]

eSIM takes away control from the phone owner and gives too much to the carrier. For that reason I'd never touch a phone with eSIM only.

 

[jecowa]

What's the advantage to Apple Sim? How's it work?

I imagine the eventual goal is to get rid of the Sim tray to make a water proof phone.

 

[DotCom2]

We all know it’ll lock to the first carrier you choose. Carriers manage to screw up things I didn’t know they could.

This is what I would like more info on. I just bought a 9.7 (2018) iPad, (the cheapy one) with GPS for travel purposes and it has the physical sim in it. Once I get an ATT plan for one month say, will it then be locked to ATT forever or what? And what if I travel International ? Then what?

 

[tasset]

Apple has my money if, as others above have posted, enables the customer to select apps or at least the phone/sms portion to one SIM and data for the other both live simultaneously. Some MVNO's in the US have competitive plans. Even the oligopoly offer fair data-only plans that can have the SIM stuck in a phone instead. Also, maybe, it would relieve some of the hassle of iMessage hassles when swapping SIM international?

 

[JPack]

What's the advantage to Apple Sim? How's it work?

I imagine the eventual goal is to get rid of the Sim tray to make a water proof phone.

Unless you're ejecting your SIM tray under water, it's already waterproof.

In theory, eSIM is supposed to make switching carriers easier. In areas like the U.S., getting the physical SIM to switch carriers is a major barrier. This isn't a problem in more urban areas like China because of population density. But in reality, AT&T and Verizon are under investigation by DOJ over eSIM for collusion. Right now, having 2 separate SIM trays is still the best solution.

 

[theengineerbox]

Thiz is great. My gf can use official phone number abd the party fameles can use the other number. Perfecto

What are you trying to say?
Hard to know when spelling isn't strong here