I was speaking in regards to unforeseen accidents or SIM defect. I use eSIMs on my phone and iPad mini.
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Apple's New Cellular iPad Air and iPad Pro Models Are eSIM Only
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You're in the minority then. MOST countries where Apple products are sold, support esim. Just get a small SIM travel router then. Simple solution and you can use whatever local sim you like.
The world's carriers are moving to esim. It's more secure, neat, tidy, creates less weight. Get used to it, because Apple aint going backwards.
y, well no.. from the Aus Apple Store tech specs (see below). fwiw.. I am also on team physical sim.. the reality is eSIM is not as widely available.
SIM Card
- eSIM6
- iPad Air uses eSIM technology and is not compatible with physical SIM cards.
Unfortunately, this is just not true. While eSIM may be available, it’s often only available on contract plans & not widely available on PAYG or prepay. Please don’t mention the likes of airalo etc.. they are simply a ripoff.
It's a chip, same as credit card chip. I'd need 6 eSims while using only 2 lines. I can see why providers like eSim but for the user unforseen accidents or Sim defect are rather dubious justification.
Yes, I know eSims can be swapped between devices but each swap will require contacting the carrier...
Tom
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Get ready for the physical SIM free iPhones. I much prefer eSIMs anyway, last two or three upgrades were very easy when it came to transferring the eSIM over as it was just transferred automatically when setting up each new iPhone when they were side by side and deactivated it from the iPhone that it was on.
You're not wrong to feel that way. If esims were as easily transferable as regular sim cards then there would be no question they are better. As it stands it has become a way for cellular providers to add an extra service fee from time to time. If I travel and want a cheap phone for a back packing trip then I should be able to do that without any input from my provider. It's really none of their business except to provide me with the coverage and data I pay for.
Exactly. As I mentioned upstream, sometimes there are cases where eSIMs don't work (can't be activated for whatever reason) and having the option of a physical SIM for backup is a life-saver.
Some 🤡 upstream said "Just get a small SIM travel router then", yeah, like I should need to carry another phone-sized device around in my pocket just because my eSIM-only iPhone can't work with the local carrier's eSIM (or the local carrier doesn't support eSIM at all)?
I had been thinking of selling my 2020 iPhone SE (with SIM tray) as I don't plan on traveling out of the country for a bit, but now I'm going to hold on to it until it dies ...
Esims are super convenient until you come to change the account from one device to the other. I'm no Luddite, but when the old technology can be switched in and out, but the new (at least here in Australia) requires the Telcom support department (only during office hours, Mon-Fri), then there is a a considerable advantage with the old. This is not the same as pining for floppy discs.
This! I like eSIM a lot but changing devices flexibly should be super easy. Log in, it works, just as any software license seat. Telekom shouldn’t care on which device I use my GB as long as I do. I have three MultiSIM and that is not enough for phone, watch and 2 iPads.
In my country the iPhones 14 and 15 still have physical SIM slot... I cannot fathom why Apple did a blanket drop of physical SIM slot on the new iPads when they know in some emerging markets there are still mobile operators that have not transitioned to eSIM...
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I would imagine if and when I upgrade iOS versions every year on a clean slate I would have to bug my telco for new access to eSIM...
Yes. I checked Apple uk buy page. Click the I when on WiFi or other version. It says eSIM.
Not all eSIM transfers require contacting the Carrier. I was able to do a eSIM transfer in less than 3 minutes without contacting T-Mobile. If you are referring to SIM to eSIM transfer, you are correct.It's a chip, same as credit card chip. I'd need 6 eSims while using only 2 lines. I can see why providers like eSim but for the user unforseen accidents or Sim defect are rather dubious justification.
Yes, I know eSims can be swapped between devices but each swap will require contacting the carrier...
Tom
I wouldn't be surprised that most global markets will drop physical nano SIM support on the iPhone 16 models. Getting rid of the SIM slot lowers manufacturing costs. That's why Apple did not offer physical SIM support on the new iPad models, especially now that you can store at least eight eSIM "images" on a single device.
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Well I don't see Apple pass down the lower cost to consumers...
eSIM support for MVNO is woefully poor here in the uk, it’s only the main networks and a very small minority of other providers offering them at the moment. I’m hopeful this will force some of them to bring their eSIM plans forward, especially if the iPhone drops SIM card support too.
Here’s a list of uk providers if it’s helps anyone:
www.simsherpa.com
Here’s a list of uk providers if it’s helps anyone:
eSIM: UK mobile networks that support it best in 2025
We test UK providers that offer eSIM for your main mobile plan to see how quickly they start working. And compare their deals.
www.simsherpa.com
I get the feeling that major carriers pushed for this. I don't believe I can transfer my AT&T eSIM to a new iPad without contacting AT&T to do it.