Apple's New Cellular iPad Air and iPad Pro Models Are eSIM Only

[MacRumors]

Apple at its "Let Loose" event today announced new iPad Pro and iPad Air models, and there are smaller changes compared to the previous generation devices that did not get mentioned during the event but are worth knowing about.

One of the differences worth noting is the lack of a physical SIM card slot. On the previous generation models, the cellular versions of both the iPad Air and the iPad Pro included a physical SIM card slot. In the new devices, that's no longer the case. All cellular models now support eSIM only.

It's a small but crucial detail for anyone looking to upgrade their iPad while sticking with their current cellular plan. Apple has not divulged the reason why it chose to remove the physical SIM slot, but it could have been a design decision related to making the devices slimmer, or a necessity to keep them slim, given all of the devices' hardware upgrades.

Either way, the change brings parity to Apple's latest iPad models and its iPhone, which dropped the physical SIM slot in 2022 with the launch of the iPhone 14.

Article Link: Apple's New Cellular iPad Air and iPad Pro Models Are eSIM Only

 

[RevTEG]

I know it’s the future but I absolutely hate this. I work in countries that require contracts to use e-SIM. I do not want to pay for two year contracts when myself/employees are only in country a few weeks at a time. A local sim requires no contract.

 

[q64ceo]

I still prefer a physical SIM myself. Pretty easy to pop them out and put them into a new device. I know I probably sound like an old man with my comforting old technology, but there are things which are perfect as they are.

 

[Scotty2Hotty]

Gone are the days of SIM ejectors. RIP.

 

[jimthing]

I know it’s the future but I absolutely hate this. I work in countries that require contracts to use e-SIM. I do not want to pay for two year contracts when myself/employees are only in country a few weeks at a time. A local sim requires no contract.

Sure, but Apple doing this is likely to force the telecoms carrier industry forward in said countries, as they are in most first world ones with eSim now being more readily available, though still not perfect.

 

[podycust]

Is this just us only? As in the uk iPhones still have a physical SIM card

 

[jrhop]

Is this just us only? As in the uk iPhones still have a physical SIM card

My question too

 

[incidentallycheckout]

eSim is the best thing to happen

 

[jimthing]

Is this just us only? As in the uk iPhones still have a physical SIM card

ALL countries, per UK specs page:
https://www.apple.com/uk/ipad/compare

'e-Sim' is listed, 'Nano-SIM' is not listed.

 

[LedRush]

So WiFi version it is. I guess I get to save money.

 

[Daveoc64]

I was planning on getting my Mum an upgrade to one of the new iPads, but there are so many UK MVNOs that don't offer eSIM, so it doesn't seem like an upgrade is viable right now.

 

[jimthing]

Another note... the Pro's 5G option is £$200 (€250 Fr/De/It/Es) more, the Air's 5G option is £$150 (€170 Fr/De/It/Es) more.
Cheeky old Apple!

 

[jaytv111]

My question too

eSIM only worldwide. UK site says eSIM only on the new ones.

Apple again applying force on the world. Will it get everyone onboard with eSIM, not sure, but it's their strategy, support eSIM or death!

 

[jimthing]

eSIM only worldwide. UK site says eSIM only on the new ones.

Apple again applying force on the world. Will it get everyone onboard with eSIM, not sure, but it's their strategy, support eSIM or death!

ALL countries, per UK specs page:
https://www.apple.com/uk/ipad/compare

'e-Sim' is listed, 'Nano-SIM' is not listed.

^ Yes, said that.

 

[justdiego]

I know it’s the future but I absolutely hate this. I work in countries that require contracts to use e-SIM. I do not want to pay for two year contracts when myself/employees are only in country a few weeks at a time. A local sim requires no contract.

Have you ever heard of Airalo?

 

[Newjackboy]

I’ve had all the top end iPads since 2011. And I am still shocked apple want an extra 200 bucks for an esim (cellular) version. I guess more nauseating than ever

 

[dsusanj]

Have you ever heard of Airalo?

Airalo is about three to five times more expensive than a local SIM with a data plan in most countries here in Europe.

 

[pdaholic]

Yeah SIM cards made it too easy for us to pop the card out of the phone and stick it in the iPad. Got to switch to e sim so you have to pay for that luxury!

 

[Porco]

Another removal of choice that benefits no user, only corporations.

 

[F27]

Hopefully the EU will one day outlaw this.

 

[kerr]

Have checked the Australian Apple site and can confirm that the new iPad models are eSIM-only here too.

 

[kerr]

This Apple eSIM support page might be worth checking

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

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

Generally, more expensive 5G providers support eSIM... and the cheap options don't (with select exceptions of course). I wonder if service provider money changes hands behind the scenes... like Google buying its way as the default search engine on Apple tech. Else, think about it: these iPads are plenty big enough for a tiny sim tray slot... and there is significant utility in being able to use local SIM cards while traveling.

 

[winxmac]

It's a bit understandable for the iPhone to go e-SIM although the additional space benefit isn't seen yet but for a device as big as an iPad, why?

Oh, it's because we made it thinner so we can no longer accomodate a physical SIM tray...

It seems that so far, only mainland China is keeping the physical SIM tray...

 

[jaytv111]

It's a bit understandable for the iPhone to go e-SIM although the additional space benefit isn't seen yet but for a device as big as an iPad, why?

Oh, it's because we made it thinner so we can no longer accomodate a physical SIM tray...

It seems that so far, only mainland China is keeping the physical SIM tray...

Even the Chinese version has eSIM only.

Simple fact of the matter is they can fit the SIM tray, they just don't want to support physical SIM any more. They want the world to switch to eSIM and including the SIM tray is a crutch that allows providers to never support eSIM. They want to rip the Band-Aid off.

The headphone jack was similar. There's plenty of space for headphone jack in the iPad, like loads of space! They wanted the world to use Bluetooth headphones. Lots of people complain but it appears that people are still buying iPads so it didn't matter.