Apple Hints at iPhone 17 Models Lacking SIM Card Slot in More Countries

[ph001bi]

Reducing physical differences between phones also reduce cost. I hope Apple goes full monty and gives the rest of the World devices compatible with mmWave.

 

[manurojasv]

Question: can the e-sim only iPhone still be used as a dual-sim? Currently I have an iPhone 14pro with a fysical sim and an e-sim. Can I still use two sim cards in an e-sim only iPhone?

iPhone 13 and later: eSIM + eSIM or pSIM + eSIM.
iPhone Xs - iPhone 12: eSIM + pSIM.

 

[BobMcBurger]

I see this as a good thing.

Removing the SIM tray in all future devices simplifies manufacturing, since every phone can use the same frame instead of producing separate versions with and without the tray.

 

[Imperial926]

Yeah, things are getting better in the UK. Even a year ago it was pretty much only the major EE/Vodafone/O2/Three direct providers that offered eSIMs and none of the best known MVNOs offered them. For me the MVNOs tend to be much better value than going direct to the big 4 so I was worried. Checking just now I see at least one of the big UK MVNOs now offer eSIMs e.g. Giffgaff.

The MVNO I’m with (Lebara) is saying that it’s launching eSIMs in Q3 2025 so in theory that’s by the end of September if they stick to that timetable.

I usually but a new iPhone on launch day so if the UK iPhones are going to lose the physical SIM slot then it’s going to be a close run thing. I really hope Lebara does get its act together in time for the first iPhone 17 deliveries.

Lebara do have some great deals. I hope the move to eSIM comes in time if Apple do head in this direction. My MVNO I'm with is Talkmobile who still have real people answering the phones and the deals seem to get better every year.

 

[whiskersld]

The Esim nonsense is one of the large reasons I switched to a dumbphone! I will never use anything besides prepay.

 

[emulator]

The Esim nonsense is one of the large reasons I switched to a dumbphone! I will never use anything besides prepay.

Great story, thx for sharing.

 

[SFjohn]

For me this is not really good news... I have a foreign physical simcard and now I have to travel to that country and switch my physical sim to an e-sim. This is not possible through the app.

Can’t you just call the carrier in that country & have them switch it in your new phone?