This means I’ll have to rely on a SIM card dongle in countries that don’t support eSIM.
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Apple Hints at iPhone 17 Models Lacking SIM Card Slot in More Countries
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This is absurd cause not many countries use E sim and you have to get a local/tourist sim.
Outside the three main carriers, very limited support for eSIM in Australia.
I have found eSIM to be way better for travel now. Gone are the days of hunting down a store that sells one (or buying an expensive one at the airport), then trying to find cash to buy it, then finding a paperclip, then complicated setup, then complicated top ups, then wasting money on unused data
I hope this is true for all new iPhones in Germany. I also hope the internal design will actually make use of the new space.
Am I the only one who swaps my sim regularly? And not just iPhone - iPhone, but also to some strange IoT style devices for setup etc. The physical sim doesn’t take up much room and China still doesn’t allow them, so I don't think removing this feature will result in improved battery or anything like that. I understand the benefits of eSIM technology but the physical sim just works and will always work.
More reason to hold on to iPhone 13 or switch to Android.
Another hint has surfaced that Apple is preparing to eliminate the physical SIM card tray from iPhones in more countries this year.
In particular, a source familiar with the matter has informed MacRumors that retail employees at Apple Authorized Resellers in the EU are required to complete a training course related to iPhones with eSIM support by Friday, September 5. There are 27 countries in the EU, such as France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the Netherlands.
Apple is expected to announce the iPhone 17 series on Tuesday, September 9, which is just four days after employees must complete the training.
The training information is available in Apple's SEED app, which is used by employees at both Apple Stores and Apple Authorized Resellers around the world, so it is quite possible that the eSIM-related course extends beyond the EU.
In the United States, all iPhone 14 models and newer lack a SIM card slot, and instead rely on digital eSIM technology. Apple has yet to eliminate the SIM card tray in any other countries, but it likely will starting with the iPhone 17 series.
The Information broke the news last year:The report did not mention any specific iPhone 17 models or countries.
At a minimum, the ultra-thin iPhone 17 Air will lack a SIM card tray in most if not all countries, according to Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. However, there is a decent chance the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max will also be eSIM-only internationally. There might be a few exceptions still, though, such as China.
When the iPhone 14 series launched in 2022, Apple promoted eSIMs as being more secure than physical SIM cards, as they cannot be removed from an iPhone that is lost or stolen. In addition, at least eight eSIMs can be managed on an iPhone at once, eliminating the need to obtain, carry, and swap SIM cards while traveling.
Apple has a support document with a list of carriers around that world that support eSIMs.
Article Link: Apple Hints at iPhone 17 Models Lacking SIM Card Slot in More Countries
There are two different batteries rumoured for the iPhone 17 Pro series. Mind you, the difference in battery capacity is probably minimal, but the shapes are different.
Which countries? Nowadays it’s pretty common to order an eSIM before travelling, you install it on your airport before boarding and then use on destination.
Even here in Canada, some of the low cost carriers do not support eSIM. Furthermore, interoperability of eSIM between carriers for porting and switching between iPhone and Android is a huge problem.
Also, many times in smaller countries, low cost local SIMs are SIM cards only. That's a different thing than travel eSIMs.
Yes, a future where carriers can charge you a fee every time you swap your SIM, rather than easily exchanging a card so small it takes almost no meaningful space internally. Sounds great!
Search for esim in the App Store. There are many where you can buy an eSIM from them to work in a country/region. You can activate them before you're in that country so it will work straight away
Superb!
Another hint has surfaced that Apple is preparing to eliminate the physical SIM card tray from iPhones in more countries this year.
In particular, a source familiar with the matter has informed MacRumors that retail employees at Apple Authorized Resellers in the EU are required to complete a training course related to iPhones with eSIM support by Friday, September 5. There are 27 countries in the EU, such as France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the Netherlands.
Apple is expected to announce the iPhone 17 series on Tuesday, September 9, which is just four days after employees must complete the training.
The training information is available in Apple's SEED app, which is used by employees at both Apple Stores and Apple Authorized Resellers around the world, so it is quite possible that the eSIM-related course extends beyond the EU.
In the United States, all iPhone 14 models and newer lack a SIM card slot, and instead rely on digital eSIM technology. Apple has yet to eliminate the SIM card tray in any other countries, but it likely will starting with the iPhone 17 series.
The Information broke the news last year:The report did not mention any specific iPhone 17 models or countries.
At a minimum, the ultra-thin iPhone 17 Air will lack a SIM card tray in most if not all countries, according to Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. However, there is a decent chance the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max will also be eSIM-only internationally. There might be a few exceptions still, though, such as China.
When the iPhone 14 series launched in 2022, Apple promoted eSIMs as being more secure than physical SIM cards, as they cannot be removed from an iPhone that is lost or stolen. In addition, at least eight eSIMs can be managed on an iPhone at once, eliminating the need to obtain, carry, and swap SIM cards while traveling.
Apple has a support document with a list of carriers around that world that support eSIMs.
Article Link: Apple Hints at iPhone 17 Models Lacking SIM Card Slot in More Countries
I don’t want BUT eSIM!
I was anti-eSIM and bought an iPhone 13 in the US to keep the physical SIM slot.
But I have changed my mind, after using eSIMs from multiple carriers. It is very easy and efficient to download and install them, without having to fuss with physically installing a SIM card.
I am a fan and feel like this is the future.
But I have changed my mind, after using eSIMs from multiple carriers. It is very easy and efficient to download and install them, without having to fuss with physically installing a SIM card.
I am a fan and feel like this is the future.
For Europeans travelling to other countries it’s not an option. We should have an option to put in a simcard next to the eSIM. Was considering buying a new iPhone but this is a major reason not to. It’s a narrowminded decision coming from an international orientated company.
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Apple doesn't offer many arguments for buying a new iPhone. Want to lose another one?
it depends on your mobile carrier, actually.
in general, although apple gives these iPhones the ability to have multiple esims able to have two active at the same time, whether or not you can have two esims simultaneously active ("dual esim") is actually controlled by your carrier, not apple.
my main carrier offers esim. but it doesn't allow you to have a second esim active at the same time.
i am waiting for my carrier (which is a non-USA carrier) to change this policy before i buy the iPhone 17 Air which is rumored to have only esim capability since i need dual capability.
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That’s not how big parts of the world work.
Then again, who would sport an iPhone 18/19/20 there anyway.
The carriers in the US have gotten better. It used to be a sh*t-show and they almost always did not work properly and you wound up having to call support, etc. But, the Big-3 now seem to have it down. I see there is the ability to scan a QR code to install an e-SIM but haven't seen a carrier give me that yet.
I think it will be eventually be that all e-sim with all phones whether Apple of android with carriers world wide having to support it. I am just wondering how countries that require the current sims be registered are going to register the newer e-sim