Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Apple Removes SIM Card Tray on All iPhone 14 Models in U.S.
- Thread starter MacRumors
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
Not just South American countries. Even in Mexico, right next the US and with lots of people who buy their iphones in the US, the largest carrier (Telcel) still doesn’t support eSIMs for the iphone (though they do support them for the Motorazr).
This article seems to be misleading.
Looking at the tech spec pages for the iPhone 14 Pro models on apple’s website, support for nano sim is mentioned, and it’s specified in the same way as for iPhone 13 pro models. Compare this to iPhone 14 (non-Pro) tech specs, and you’ll see the difference.
So, if Apple’s tech spec pages are accurate, pro models in the US will have physical, nano-Sim slots. The article headline made it sound like all iPhone 14 models, including pro, would have no physical SIM card slot.
Did any hands on tech reviewers see a physical SIM card slot on the pro models? Would be quick way to confirm/refute.
EDIT: Hard to tell if the US Pro models are Sim-free or not—I think the tech spec pages need some clarification.
Looking at the tech spec pages for the iPhone 14 Pro models on apple’s website, support for nano sim is mentioned, and it’s specified in the same way as for iPhone 13 pro models. Compare this to iPhone 14 (non-Pro) tech specs, and you’ll see the difference.
So, if Apple’s tech spec pages are accurate, pro models in the US will have physical, nano-Sim slots. The article headline made it sound like all iPhone 14 models, including pro, would have no physical SIM card slot.
Did any hands on tech reviewers see a physical SIM card slot on the pro models? Would be quick way to confirm/refute.
EDIT: Hard to tell if the US Pro models are Sim-free or not—I think the tech spec pages need some clarification.
Last edited:
Not really. I’m on US Mobile eSim. I think this move by Apple will force carriers across the board / world to bring forward their implementation of eSim . It’s a good thing.
If you do a comparison, at the far bottom of page where is says Sim Card, it says not compatible with physical sim cards whether Pro or not.
https://www.apple.com/iphone/compare/?modelList=iphone14promax,iphone14plus,iphone14pro
I’d rather go by what Apple said during their event, which is that the entire iPhone 14 lineup will only support eSim.
I get that it's an inconvenience, but for people saying "I travel to 10 countries a year...how dare they!"
Can you not just buy a new phone in one of those 10 countries and eliminate your issue?
I for one hope this pushes companies to adapt e-sim support. 'm tired of having to swap sims when going to certain countries where I need more than just Google Fi (which thankfully is rare!) Would be nice to just have a collection of stored sims ready to go.
Can you not just buy a new phone in one of those 10 countries and eliminate your issue?
I for one hope this pushes companies to adapt e-sim support. 'm tired of having to swap sims when going to certain countries where I need more than just Google Fi (which thankfully is rare!) Would be nice to just have a collection of stored sims ready to go.
No sim slot in the US version. Unlocked variant will need to be set with an e-sim by the provider.
You can purchase a pre-paid SIM from any vendor on the street by paying cash. With eSIM, you're either providing a real name or at a minimum, credit card info.
I have a business line that uses a budget carrier they only offer sim. The I use my e-sim for my personal line. That screws people like me as well.
More and more countries are requiring ID registration when purchasing a new SIM card, so the “privacy” angle will be less and less relevant.
I really hope so. Physical SIM won’t be gone as it’s the lowest common denominator, but dear lord these carriers are really lazy. Heck, I predict 5G will be more commonplace first before wide adoption of eSIM.
I am not arguing that. In fact, I would believe the same. My point there is that while they have the okay to do this in the US, they more than likely do not for anywhere outside the US (India, and China I believe were the examples as why), but in the places that do support eSIMs, the sim card slot is actually redundant if the user can use an eSIM. That also would be wasted redundant space. When all of that space is reclaimed for everywhere that an iPhone can be used, Apple can use that space to add more features as well as reduce the number of different models that they have to make. That streamlines their manufacturing, and could make the phones cheaper.
BL.
Either that or purchase the non-US iPhone 14 model.
Looking at the lineup, SE, 12, and 13 still have physical SIM slot, so we have about 3 years before all iPhones in the lineup are eSIM only (in the US). Hopfully eSIM adoption worldwide will improve significantly in the next year or so. I mean we will expect iPhone 15 onward won't have a SIM slot either.
They would just go into the Settings and delete the eSIM profile.
Of course, cinema wise, that is less dramatic than taking out a SIM and breaking it secret agent style.
do you know how much a local data plan cost , especially for tourist and travellers of the cell at airports (better yet the ones we sell at local 7-Elevens in the country, in the city). it’s like $10 USD for a 100Gb for 28 days. if those other compare I’d consider it.
The issue here is would you rather pay the premium for keeping access to your ATT phone number while roaming...
or pay for a local eSIM and the data for that in the country you would be in, which would be substantially cheaper, and use FaceTime Audio to make those calls back to the US. Options need to be judged here before looking at the convenience of simply keeping your number, which you would get back once you get back into the US.
BL.
yes, if it's that much of an issue, why not? I again understand that transferring data to a new phone is a less than ideal situation on travel/work trips. But for the handful of people that his applies to, it isn't tough to set it up while taking a shower after stopping at hotel/accommodation. I've purchased phones/laptops/etc. overseas to take advantage of currency conversion discounts too many times to count. I like to travel light, but keeping an old phone on me isn't going to push my suitcase over the limit.