All iPhone 16 Models Sold Outside U.S. Still Have Physical SIM Card Tray

[MacRumors]

Apple's new iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max models all remain equipped with a physical SIM card tray outside of the United States.

Tech specs on Apple's website confirm that all four iPhone 16 models remain compatible with nano-SIM cards in countries such as the U.K., France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, Sweden, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, China, Singapore, and everywhere else they are sold. In most countries, the devices also continue to support eSIM as well, allowing for dual-SIM functionality with cellular networks.

Apple removed the SIM card tray from all iPhone 14 models in the U.S. two years ago, forcing customers to use an eSIM, a digital SIM that allows users to activate a cellular plan without having to use a physical nano-SIM card. Apple has a support document with a list of carriers that support eSIM technology around the world.

When the iPhone 14 series launched in the U.S., Apple promoted eSIMs as being more secure than a physical SIM since they cannot be removed from an iPhone that is lost or stolen. Apple added that up to eight eSIMs can be managed in the iPhone's Settings app, eliminating the need to obtain, carry, and swap physical SIM cards while traveling. iPhone 13 and newer models can have two eSIMs active at the same time.

With eSIM availability expanding, the SIM card tray might eventually be removed from iPhones sold outside of the U.S., but for now it lives another year.

Thanks, Apollo Zhao!

Article Link: All iPhone 16 Models Sold Outside U.S. Still Have Physical SIM Card Tray

 

[podycust]

Which is great news as not all operators here in the uk support eSIM (mainly mvmo)

 

[Apple$]

Why does Apple STILL create 2 different versions of phones, one for USA, one for the rest of the world, Just ship ONE model! This will save Apple tons of $!

 

[kerr]

Which suggests that this change in the US was far too premature

 

[dumastudetto]

Why does Apple STILL create 2 different versions of phones, one for USA, one for the rest of the world, Just ship ONE model! This will save Apple tons of $!

Different cellular bands and technologies in different regions of the world. I think there's more than 2 regional versions. It definitely adds cost, and should be mentioned more when overseas people whine about Apple tax, Apple tax, Apple tax.

 

[Apple$]

Different cellular bands and technologies in different regions of the world. I think there's more than 2 regional versions.

Talking about an eSIM only and SIM/eSIM combo.

 

[lotzosushi]

Good because I will never buy and iPhone that forces you to go through major carriers that have a monopoly on pricing. I frequently travel around Asia and it’s so much cheaper to pick up local SIM cards especially in Hong Kong. You pay a fraction of the price often for the same or even better deals than you get from major carriers if you are forced to use eSIM. It’s much easier to just pop in a SIM and dispose of it when you’re done, not needing to give out any personal info at all like if you had to go to a carrier.

 

[MNWildFan]

Different cellular bands and technologies in different regions of the world. I think there's more than 2 regional versions.

Yup, that's something that will always be there in that regard

Just fascinating to see how in some countries they still haven't fully latched on to eSIM

Makes it so much easier especially for traveling to another country; just over 2 years ago now when I went to Ireland, I was able to get a data only eSIM right from my device and for much cheaper than right from the carrier for their own international plans

 

[dumastudetto]

Talking about an eSIM only and SIM/eSIM combo.

Well it's part of the same issue. If they do eSim only versions in countries within regions that can handle it, they have to produce even more variants for the other countries in that same region that still need nano sim support.

 

[Jay-Jacob]

Which is great news as not all operators here in the uk support eSIM (mainly mvmo)

And also on PAYG on main network too, still no e-sim like EE I am on.

 

[ebika]

I want to love eSIM, but the broken promise of simplicity by some carriers makes it difficult. Last I checked, T-Mobile in the US still hasn’t come out with an easy, self service way of swapping eSIMs between phones since they removed the QR code mechanism over a year ago.

 

[kildraik]

Oh. Interesting. I was thinking of getting the 16 Pro for the 4K/120 camera cluster. But as somebody who uses a dumb phone at home and my 13 Pro when traveling only, that is a dealbreaker. I had no idea they eliminated physical SIM cards a few generations ago.

Looks like I'll be camera shopping instead!

 

[platinumaqua]

As they should

 

[klasma]

At least one good news.

 

[gegy]

Why is there no option to choose eSim only in Europe?

 

[GimmeDatApple]

Apple added that up to eight eSIMs can be managed in the iPhone's Settings app, eliminating the need to obtain, carry, and swap physical SIM cards while traveling.

Apple should also mention that the eSIM is carrier locked in the US if you haven't paid off your phone yet, so good luck using it outside of the US.

Getting AT&T to unlock my phone was such a hassle I just paid off the installment.

 

[dumastudetto]

Yup, that's something that will always be there in that regard

Just fascinating to see how in some countries they still haven't fully latched on to eSIM

Makes it so much easier especially for traveling to another country; just over 2 years ago now when I went to Ireland, I was able to get a data only eSIM right from my device and for much cheaper than right from the carrier for their own international plans

Yeah it definitely makes international travel a lot easier being able to setup multiple esims and activate when needed. I had plenty of difficult experiences trying to get myself local sim cards in the bad old days. Lots of chasing around trying to find a kiosk willing to bypass the usual requirements to grant me a local sim card.

 

[ric22]

Good! Half the world isn't ready for eSIM yet... Not even nearly!!

 

[Mark_M]

Which is great news as not all operators here in the uk support eSIM (mainly mvmo)

but the more they keep sim card trays, the longer it will be before MVNO's (and MVO's) fully support it...

 

[FrietVanPiet]

The only reason I'm hesitant to use eSIM is in case my phone breaks. So if quickly need to swap to another old phone, how easily can I switch? And well, since my phone has both physical SIM and eSIM, there isn't really a benefit of using eSIM at all.

 

[JPack]

It's not about cost, but control. The SIM tray costs nothing. They added a new button this year, so it's not about water resistance either.

Apple wants control of the stack, including your cellular provider. With eSIM, they can determine if a particular carrier makes the cut. And as gatekeeper, Apple can demand a 30% cut of the carrier revenue too, just like the Apple Store.

But outside the U.S., Apple doesn't dominate the carriers. This is a great thing.

 

[Beau10]

As a digital nomad, a physical tray is extremely useful. I do use eSIMs from time to time, but some particular markets are much cheaper using a physical SIM, ie. Poland, Mexico.

 

[flybynight]

Where is the SIM tray located? I'm assuming that image is just a mock-up? That puts it right where the new camera button is. I'm assuming they aren't taking that away for physical SIM phones. Misleading graphic, for sure.

Correction: I was thinking the wrong side. Thanks for the correction PJack.

 

[ric22]

Which suggests that this change in the US was far too premature

Punishment for Americans that want to travel

 

[1BadManVan]

I wish they did this for their ipad models. No more sim tray slots for them which sucks for those like me that get free data plans with my existing sim cards to my plan. If i was to get a new ipad with e-sim only, i would have to pay $15 a month to use it with my plan.