Apple Removes SIM Card Tray on All iPhone 14 Models in U.S.

[Manatlt]

Actually, I’m quite correct. The countries listed not only have carriers who have adopted eSims, but are actively using them for the services they offer. That even includes here in the US.

BL.

Dude.

I live in the UK and on contract so mikhaelj's scenario doesn't apply to me, but I see where he's coming from. There's no carrier in the UK that offers eSIM prepaid.

So using an iPhone 14 US model in the UK is practically useless unless you data roam (or sign a 12-18 month contract with a carrier...and they perform a credit check on you).

 

[Krispykrme]

And I just posted where your assumption is wrong, for all 3 countries you listed.

No

I just came back from these 3 countries yesterday

Don’t give me ********.

You are the one making assumption that esim support means everyone can use it.

I have dual citizenship that I can get local plan in Taiwan. But it’s a 2 year contract. I only used local contract because I am allowed legally to have local contract and o had that Taiwan number for over 20 years.

But why should I pay 2 year contract in Singapore or Japan.

Stop drinking apple coolaid. It doesn’t work for traveler. Period

 

[bradl]

When is last time you actually travelled?

I just got back from Thailand, Taiwan, Japan, and Singapore yesterday.

2 months ago. Melbourne, Geelong, Sydney, and Brisbane via SFO.

Out of these 4 countries- none of them offer esim for prepaid and all of them require legal residence to get local postpaid plan.

Taiwan, Japan, and Singapore esim activation can only be done at carrier managed store. In case of Singtel, only the store in bugis can activate esim.

You aren’t correct. Because you don’t know the detail and actual use of esim in those country.

And that’s why I said you need to look at each country in particular. This worked for me when I was in Australia. The people I was visiting in Oz are currently in Kansai, using the same model phone I have, and using eSIMs there perfectly fine in NTT DoCoMo.

Just because Apple website tell you it’s supported doesn’t mean you can actually use it.

I used it when I was there. That tells me it does work. Again, you need to do the research for the country you’re going to visit, but to blanketly say that the majority of the countries don’t use it is wrong.

BL.

 

[bradl]

When is last time you actually travelled?

I just got back from Thailand, Taiwan, Japan, and Singapore yesterday.

2 months ago. Melbourne, Geelong, Sydney, and Brisbane via SFO.

Out of these 4 countries- none of them offer esim for prepaid and all of them require legal residence to get local postpaid plan.

Taiwan, Japan, and Singapore esim activation can only be done at carrier managed store. In case of Singtel, only the store in bugis can activate esim.

You aren’t correct. Because you don’t know the detail and actual use of esim in those country.

And that’s why I said you need to look at each country in particular. This worked for me when I was in Australia. The people I was visiting in Oz are currently in Kansai, using the same model phone I have, and using eSIMs there perfectly fine in NTT DoCoMo.

Just because Apple website tell you it’s supported doesn’t mean you can actually use it.

I used it when I was there. That tells me it does work. Again, you need to do the research for the country you’re going to visit, but to blanketly say that the majority of the countries don’t use it is wrong.

BL.

Fine- it work in one certain country.

How about this?

I will pay for your plane ticket to Taiwan with your brick iphone 14. Show me how you are going to get esim to work when the country don’t offer esim for pre-paid?

Show me how you are going to leave the airport? Given that you actually need a local voice number to receive calls so the healthy administrator can monitor you are staying in quaratine hotel.

Until then- your point is completely useless and wrong.

Simple. I don’t prepay. You’re the one putting the stipulation of “prepay” on as the basis of your argument. If one doesn’t prepay, that eliminates your argument.

Instead trying to fit your sole situation, you should also look at ways around your situation instead
Of drawing a line in the sand and saying “my way or the highway”.

BL.

 

[bradl]

No

I just came back from these 3 countries yesterday

Don’t give me ********.

You are the one making assumption that esim support means everyone can use it.

I have dual citizenship that I can get local plan in Taiwan. But it’s a 2 year contract. I only used local contract because I am allowed legally to have local contract and o had that Taiwan number for over 20 years.

But why should I pay 2 year contract in Singapore or Japan.

Stop drinking apple coolaid. It doesn’t work for traveler. Period

It works for me. If you’re not happy with it, Seoul and Samsung are a short swim away from ROC.

What I am saying is that if the country has support for it, find a way to make that support work for you, not only work the WAY YOU WANT IT TO WORK. Going that route may never get what you want, because you may never find the solution that works, unless technology changes.

10 years ago, we had no MVNOs, and Verizon and Sprint customers had eSIMs in their phones, with no complaints. Same with China Unicom. Yet no outrage. Yet now we go back to that and people are up in arms. It’s almost funny.

BL.

 

[fjd726]

Still haven’t seen an answer to this scenario. I have both an iPhone and S22 ultra and swap sims regularly to use either phone with the same number. How would this work with the new 14 alongside the android non esim?

 

[Krispykrme]

2 months ago. Melbourne, Geelong, Sydney, and Brisbane via SFO.



And that’s why I said you need to look at each country in particular. This worked for me when I was in Australia. The people I was visiting in Oz are currently in Kansai, using the same model phone I have, and using eSIMs there perfectly fine in NTT DoCoMo.



I used it when I was there. That tells me it does work. Again, you need to do the research for the country you’re going to visit, but to blanketly say that the majority of the countries don’t use it is wrong.

BL.

That is bs and I can tell you as such.

1. Where can you get esim in Narita and Haneda? Show me. I arrived in Narita just last week and left Haneda on Tuesday on UA 876.

2 months ago. Melbourne, Geelong, Sydney, and Brisbane via SFO.



And that’s why I said you need to look at each country in particular. This worked for me when I was in Australia. The people I was visiting in Oz are currently in Kansai, using the same model phone I have, and using eSIMs there perfectly fine in NTT DoCoMo.



I used it when I was there. That tells me it does work. Again, you need to do the research for the country you’re going to visit, but to blanketly say that the majority of the countries don’t use it is wrong.

BL.


Simple. I don’t prepay. You’re the one putting the stipulation of “prepay” on as the basis of your argument. If one doesn’t prepay, that eliminates your argument.

Instead trying to fit your sole situation, you should also look at ways around your situation instead
Of drawing a line in the sand and saying “my way or the highway”.

BL.

You are beyond ridiculous.

Unless you have dual citizen or legal residence you can’t get esim on prepay.

It’s not my way or highway. It’s how SIM card are used by carrier in those respective countries.

1. I am not going to sign up for 12/18/24 months contract if I am only using it 30 days out of the year.

Show me a link you can get prepay esim. Or your post is baseless and merit less

 

[Krispykrme]

Still haven’t seen an answer to this scenario. I have both an iPhone and S22 ultra and swap sims regularly to use either phone with the same number. How would this work with the new 14 alongside the android non esim?

Basically you can’t

 

[Fat_Guy]

2 months ago. Melbourne, Geelong, Sydney, and Brisbane via SFO.



And that’s why I said you need to look at each country in particular. This worked for me when I was in Australia. The people I was visiting in Oz are currently in Kansai, using the same model phone I have, and using eSIMs there perfectly fine in NTT DoCoMo.



I used it when I was there. That tells me it does work. Again, you need to do the research for the country you’re going to visit, but to blanketly say that the majority of the countries don’t use it is wrong.

BL.


Simple. I don’t prepay. You’re the one putting the stipulation of “prepay” on as the basis of your argument. If one doesn’t prepay, that eliminates your argument.

Instead trying to fit your sole situation, you should also look at ways around your situation instead
Of drawing a line in the sand and saying “my way or the highway”.

BL.

Guys and gals, if someone needs a sim tray in their iPhone they should get it. So far the easiest way if you live in the States is to buy it from Canada. I have a lot of experience over the years with this and I shudder at only having the eSim option. Foreigners get treated badly in other countries with the “plans”. In the UK you have to use it every 18 months or lose it. I lost over 80 pounds because one provider in the UK went belly up. India is another problem I will not get into.


There is hype and the reality of dealing with it on your own. Anyway - carry on…

 

[Krispykrme]

It works for me. If you’re not happy with it, Seoul and Samsung are a short swim away from ROC.

What I am saying is that if the country has support for it, find a way to make that support work for you, not only work the WAY YOU WANT IT TO WORK. Going that route may never get what you want, because you may never find the solution that works, unless technology changes.

10 years ago, we had no MVNOs, and Verizon and Sprint customers had eSIMs in their phones, with no complaints. Same with China Unicom. Yet no outrage. Yet now we go back to that and people are up in arms. It’s almost funny.

BL.

Here is the requirement to get post paid phone plan in japan (only possible way to use Esim)

1. Residence ID
2. Bank account

So tell me how is that possible for traveler?

The same issue applies to all 4 countries i mentioned.

So you are telling me to apply for 4 countries resident card, setup bank accounts in 4 different country, and sign up for minimal one year contract (Taiwan is 2).

You got to be kidding right?

Just admit it you don’t have a clue.

Until the carriers change their policy. US iPhone 14 is a brick everywhere it goes.

 

[trekkie604]

Still haven’t seen an answer to this scenario. I have both an iPhone and S22 ultra and swap sims regularly to use either phone with the same number. How would this work with the new 14 alongside the android non esim?

At least for my carrier, the esim QR code is one-time use. So it's a new QR code every time you want to change phones (e.g. $25 each time). Ridiculous.

 

[rui no onna]

Umm.. you should check the country you’re going to visit before making that assumption. Most countries that offer it for activation do have esims available, in one form or another.

Find wireless carriers and worldwide service providers that offer eSIM service on iPhone - Apple Support

An eSIM is a digital SIM that allows you to activate a mobile data plan from your network provider without having to use a physical nano-SIM. Find out which wireless carriers in your country or region offer cellular plans on an eSIM, either activated by eSIM Carrier Activation, eSIM Quick...

support.apple.com

BL.

The other poster specifically mentioned prepaid esim.

I can confirm for Philippines (Globe and Smart), esims are only available to postpaid/contract customers making them a no go for tourists only staying a couple months or less.

That list only shows which carriers support esim but they don't show all the restrictions.

 

[MacDaddyPanda]

Apple will continue to do whatever it wants until you all stop collectively buying their products. Then maybe they'll re-evaluate and change course. Until they start losing massive amount of money over any changes, they don't care if they affect the in their perception "minority" few this may affect.

 

[rui no onna]

Apple will continue to do whatever it wants until you all stop collectively buying their products. Then maybe they'll re-evaluate and change course. Until they start losing massive amount of money over any changes, they don't care if they affect the in their perception "minority" few this may affect.

The iPhone 13 still has SIM card slot and isn't that far off from the iPhone 14 performance-wise so that's what we got to replace the iPhone 11.

We currently have an iPhone 13, iPhone 12, iPhone 12 mini and 2x iPhone SE3s in the household which all have SIM card trays.

I'll probably end up replacing the 12 and 12 mini with 13 and 13 mini instead of going for something newer. The performance on A12 up is already kinda overkill anyway.

 

[fjd726]

At least for my carrier, the esim QR code is one-time use. So it's a new QR code every time you want to change phones (e.g. $25 each time). Ridiculous.

Which carrier? I guess this is a no buy for me as I switch phones regularly.

 

[Krispykrme]

It works for me. If you’re not happy with it, Seoul and Samsung are a short swim away from ROC.

What I am saying is that if the country has support for it, find a way to make that support work for you, not only work the WAY YOU WANT IT TO WORK. Going that route may never get what you want, because you may never find the solution that works, unless technology changes.

10 years ago, we had no MVNOs, and Verizon and Sprint customers had eSIMs in their phones, with no complaints. Same with China Unicom. Yet no outrage. Yet now we go back to that and people are up in arms. It’s almost funny.

BL.

Btw- all those 4 countries doesn’t allow you to pay for postpaid plan with different country credit cards.

Basically- I have to prepay almost 12 months of monthly plan charge in Taiwan. As of today I have over $7000 NT credit in my account because all carriers in Taiwan no longer accept none Taiwan credit card. $7000 NT is 7 months of plan fee.

You don’t have a clue on all of the restriction. Stop providing false information.

 

[rui no onna]

Which carrier? I guess this is a no buy for me as I switch phones regularly.

I’m guessing AT&T.

 

[lartola]

Stop with this none sense lies.

I can give you 3 countries on my last trip that don’t have esim for tourist (prepaid). Japan, Taiwan, and Singapore (M1 doesn’t count because coverage sucks)

So tell me how the $1600 iPhone pro 14 max going to work in those 3 countries?

It’s a beautiful $1600 brick you are carrying.

I know. That’s why I said it would be an issue in some countries. Nevertheless, just as those three countries don’t have eSIM for tourists there are many other countries that do. And roaming still works as well, though I understand it may be too expensive sometimes.

 

[lartola]

I wonder will the iPhone 14 sold in Mexico get a nano SIM slot.

Yes, it does come with a nano SIM. It had to. As I said before, Mexico isn’t ready for an esim only iphone.

 

[fdw777]

Still haven’t seen an answer to this scenario. I have both an iPhone and S22 ultra and swap sims regularly to use either phone with the same number. How would this work with the new 14 alongside the android non esim?

One works and the other  14 won't. NTBS, but it's the law of physics.

 

[fdw777]

In case no-one has been paying attention. Apple's  plan all along has been to be port-less. First the headphone jack, then the sim-card slot, next the charging port. As for me Im sticking with my 12 Pro Max. If I would had known I would have gotten the 13 Pro Max but can't even get that from Apple now. Boycott iPhone 14 and see where that gets you....

 

[lartola]

In case no-one has been paying attention. Apple's  plan all along has been to be port-less. First the headphone jack, then the sim-card slot, next the charging port. As for me Im sticking with my 12 Pro Max. If I would had known I would have gotten the 13 Pro Max but can't even get that from Apple now. Boycott iPhone 14 and see where that gets you....

Yeah, We know that has been Apple’s plan for years. The problem with what they just did with the US iphones is that they did it too soon for travelers and that only benefits the carriers, who will now see more of their customers paying for roaming when they travel internationally. Or without any service at all if they simply refuse to pay for roaming like some in this forum do.

 

[lartola]

Here is the requirement to get post paid phone plan in japan (only possible way to use Esim)

1. Residence ID
2. Bank account

So tell me how is that possible for traveler?

The same issue applies to all 4 countries i mentioned.

So you are telling me to apply for 4 countries resident card, setup bank accounts in 4 different country, and sign up for minimal one year contract (Taiwan is 2).

You got to be kidding right?

Just admit it you don’t have a clue.

Until the carriers change their policy. US iPhone 14 is a brick everywhere it goes.

Don’t exaggerate, there’s still roaming. That still works even if the carrier whose network you’d roam on doesn’t support esims. Of course if you simply refuse to pay for roaming (which btw is actually free in some countries such as Canada or Mexico) then yes, it will become a brick in some of the countries you may travel to.

 

[_Dubs_]

Looks like I'll stick with my 13 Pro for at least another year. I need a SIM card for travel to Singapore. Hopefully by this time next year Singtel will have a eSIM for tourists.

First time I haven't upgraded to a new phone since the iPhone 3G.

 

[ric22]

Apple frequently makes decisions I find hateful or stupid (difficult to repair devices, while pretending to give a **** about the environment), and making one of the best and coolest things a human can do- travel the globe- more difficult, certainly deserves a place in the Apple hall of shame.

Don't get me wrong, they've made lots of cool stuff I've loved over the decades, but God they are awful sometimes.