eSims have only been around since the iPhoneX, so its pretty short notice I agree![]()
iPhone XS and XR were the first to support eSIM.
eSims have only been around since the iPhoneX, so its pretty short notice I agree![]()
China has not approved the use of eSIMs in smartphones???
Apple is planning to remove the physical SIM card tray on iPhones in more countries next year, The Information said today, in a report focused on the ultra-thin "iPhone 17 Air." However, the report did not mention any specific countries.
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In the U.S., all iPhone 14 through iPhone 16 models do not have a SIM card tray, and instead rely entirely on digital eSIM technology. Apple has yet to release any iPhones without a SIM card tray outside of the U.S., but it sounds like the change will finally expand internationally starting with the iPhone 17 lineup next September.
Indeed, the report said that all current "iPhone 17 Air" prototypes lack a SIM card tray. The report said it is unclear if the device will be sold in China as a result, since the country has not approved the use of eSIMs in smartphones. Of course, that could change.
When the iPhone 14 series launched in 2022, Apple promoted eSIMs as being more secure than a physical SIM, 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 physical SIM cards while traveling.
Apple has a support document with a list of carriers around that world that support eSIMs.
Article Link: Apple Reportedly Plans to Remove iPhone's SIM Card Tray in More Countries Next Year
Verizon, when I got my 15PM, it was supposed to be switched over and ready to go when I got it from Apple, however, it was not. I tried calling Apple to no avail and eventually had to call Verizon, was charged a fee to switch service to the new esim.What carrier are you with? If you're moving an eSIM between Apple devices, most of the major US carriers support the "eSIM quick transfer" feature which does not require any contact with the carrier.
In any case, this is easily solved by just making a rule that carriers must make moving eSIMs between devices quick and free. The UK frequently makes rules to keep phone carriers in line, such as mandates on number portability and the ban on carrier-locked phones. Any carrier charging a fee to swap an eSIM to a new device would not go down well at all there!
I never had to had pay to move eSIM, I upgraded my phone twice and moved carries never been charged.I really hate it, I want the SIM card back. It makes it impossible to upgrade a phone without paying someone else $50 to click a button.
My concern too. I'm with Lebara, great value for money for my use, and it still doesn't support eSIM in the UK (although curiously lebara.ch does have eSIM so I suppose it does in Switzerland). The last time I looked the only reasonably priced UK MVNO to offer an eSIM option was Lyca Mobile but that has quite poor Trustpilot reviews.This will be a pain in the backside in the UK, where a lot of the virtual networks or pay as you go contracts do not offer e-sims
It's not a pain at all. eSIMs make life even easier when traveling abroad.I thought this would be a bid deal but honestly for me it really hasn’t been. eSIM has been really good. But for people that travel internationally frequently I can see this being a big pain.
Improved reliability: Physical SIM cards are a common point of failure, SIM tray opening is a potential point of water ingress, etc
That is good to know, I had to pay or no service. Had the sim card still been a thing, I could have just moved it and no worries. Even if they are not actively charging everyone now, it could start in the future once everyone has lost the ability to do it themselves.I never had to had pay to move eSIM, I upgraded my phone twice and moved carries never been charged.
Wrong. You’re looking at low-end prepaid garbage that’s only selling data in an eSIM format (which is no different than buying a data-only physical SIM). All Japanese carriers support eSIMs for voice, anyone roaming on their eSIM gets voice, and if you buy regular phone service (showing ID, etc.) in Japan you also get the choice of eSIMI could not find an e-sim in Japan that includes a voice/calling plan. They seem to be data only. So, going e-sim only could be problematic in Japan unless the carriers and government agree to allow voice with e-sim plans.
The last years when I visited Vietnam, Thailand and the Philippines plans on eSIM tended to give a lot less value than getting a physical SIM card from a local shop. At least in my experience.What countries? That's certainly not my experience in Europe, South East Asia, and Australia/New Zealand.
100%, if the phone is damaged it makes it that much harder, or if you swap providers.Keep the SIM tray!
A while ago my broke down and I was glad that I just could put the SIM card in an old spare "no-so-smart" phone otherwise I didn't have any means of communication. That is simply not possible with eSIM. With no working e-SIM you cannot call the support line of the telecom provider and no access to the internet. In that situation you can only go to a store if the service provider has one in the country you're travelling in - in my case there were none.
So far I haven't seen any provider give some sort of spare eSIM option that you can activate in a another phone when your own phone breaks.
The last years when I visited Vietnam, Thailand and the Philippines plans on eSIM tended to give a lot less value than getting a physical SIM card from a local shop. At least in my experience.
Sounds bad. At least my Dutch provider allows me to move and install eSIMs through their app at no cost. The process here is pretty seamless. But I know that’s not the case everywhere. Many people here don’t seem to realize that.Not to mention that in my country, to move an eSIM to a new phone, you need to visit a physical store during business hours and present ID. This is so incredibly inconvenient. I also have a sim from another country I lived in, I need to keep that number but it doesn’t support eSIM. Will probably consider Android if Apple removes the SIM card in my country.
Sounds bad. At least my Dutch provider allows me to move and install eSIMs through their app at no cost. The process here is pretty seamless. But I know that’s not the case everywhere. Many people here don’t seem to realize that.