Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

iPhone 14 With eSIM Only Will Likely Be Optional Model, Says Analyst

MacRumors

MacRumors

macrumors bot
Original poster
Apr 12, 2001
67,495
37,783


Last month, a tipster informed MacRumors that Apple had advised major U.S. carriers to prepare for the launch of eSIM-only smartphones by September 2022, suggesting at least one iPhone 14 model might lack a physical nano-SIM card tray.

iphone-12-sim-card-slot-blue.jpg

GlobalData analyst Emma Mohr-McClune today expressed her belief that Apple will not switch to eSIM-only iPhones entirely right away, but rather offer an eSIM-only variant of an iPhone 14 through its own stores and give carriers an option to sell the eSIM-only model alongside more traditional models with both eSIM and a nano-SIM card tray.

There are still many carriers around the world that do not support eSIM, so Mohr-McClune's prediction about iPhone 14 models with nano-SIM card trays remaining available certainly makes sense. eSIM adoption is expanding rapidly, though, with over 100 carriers offering eSIM service worldwide and more planning to roll out support this year, including Three in the UK and Vodafone in New Zealand.

An eSIM is a digital SIM that allows users to activate a cellular plan without having to use a physical nano-SIM card. Apple first introduced eSIM technology with the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR in 2018.

iPhone 13 models already support multiple eSIM profiles, allowing users to subscribe to several cellular plans digitally and switch between them, and this functionality could pave the way for an eSIM-only variant of an iPhone 14 in at least some markets. Apple is expected to announce the iPhone 14 lineup in September as usual.

Article Link: iPhone 14 With eSIM Only Will Likely Be Optional Model, Says Analyst
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2022/01/26/iphone-14-esim-only-likely-optional/
Last edited:
  • Love
Reactions: SurferPup
I still think this is Apple putting networks on notice - implement e-sim support or risk loose all your iPhone customers to other networks.
 
  • Like
Reactions: AirTags
Seeing that most people do not lock their SIM (using a SIM PIN, because it is PITA) - eSIM is definitely a benefit. Most folks do not realize how disasterous a loss of SIM is: if you lose your phone you lost both the phone AND your phone number (and with a physical SIM it is trivial to pop that into a different device and start attacking your 2 factor things).
 
  • Disagree
  • Like
Reactions: LtLavender and imnotthewalrus
bigboy29 said:
Seeing that most people do not lock their SIM (using a SIM PIN, because it is PITA) - eSIM is definitely a benefit. Most folks do not realize how disasterous a loss of SIM is: if you lose your phone you lost both the phone AND your phone number (and with a physical SIM it is trivial to pop that into a different device and start attacking your 2 factor things).
Click to expand...
I'm not against the idea of an eSIM, but I think it's too early to ditch the traditinal sim tray.
My carrier, for example, doesn't offer an eSIM yet but I'd never want to go back to the 3 big traditional carriers, which have terrible customer support and shady schemes...
On the other hand I really want the 14 Pro as I need the prores and triple camera array.
 
  • Like
Reactions: bigboy29
For all the people talking about Apple not doing optional models and complicating manufacturing, they already offer country-specific models such as dual nano-SIM in China (without eSim), and there are several SKU's depending on country's supported cellular bands, etc.

This wont be a departure from that. Regarding an eSim only iPhone, I'm ok with that as long as two eSim can be used simultaneously so you can use a local carrier for data while keeping your overseas number for calls, texts, etc.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Project Alice, Unregistered 4U and Ebarella
It would make the motherboard a degree smaller soooo maybe bigger battery? That might be the only marginal benefit. I’m glad to see a push for esim, i think it’s wonderfully convenient to have my sim follow me from phone to phone and I don’t really have to worry about it. I think all networks should implement it. I think people in the world wouldn’t care either way unless you have a specific sim need. If I were apple I would heavily push people onto esim right now but as they upgrade, just like what apple did this year with the 13’s, automatically activate the esim and give customers on both sites, apple and carrier an opt in for a regular sim.
 
E-sim only is not happening.

It scales the supply chain too wide. A separate model, case, die set, manufacturing.

It doesn't work on the logistics end.

E-sim option for carriers works because you can ship the same model without having to differentiate between the two.

It leads up to incremental change, and once all the major carriers are e sim, then maybe you will see e-sim only phones. But not in the next 5 years. Until it's the world standard, people will still want phones with a sim card slot. Myself included.
 
  • Like
  • Disagree
Reactions: FindingAvalon, arkitect, EdT and 4 others
locovaca said:
I may be in the minority, but I truly do not want an eSim. I get the convenience in getting a new plan, but at the cost of the incovenience when you want to pop it in a different device, especially temporarily, just makes it a hard sell.
Click to expand...
This was my concern too. There are many people here on MR, and a few friends of mine, who pop their SIM out of one device into another regularly. How does the transition to eSIM work with something like that?
 
  • Like
Reactions: arkitect
locovaca said:
I may be in the minority, but I truly do not want an eSim. I get the convenience in getting a new plan, but at the cost of the incovenience when you want to pop it in a different device, especially temporarily, just makes it a hard sell.
Click to expand...
I get the temporary thing but - from personal experience, I can also tell you there are significant issues that can rise from just taking a SIM from one device and putting it into the other... such as:
  • Data being throttled by the carrier because the system IMEI does not match the device IMEI
  • Difficulties in proving ownership: say something happens and you need to prove ownership of your number to your carrier; you might not have IMEI of the old device anymore (real scenario, happened to me 2 weeks ago)
  • Issues with port-outs; there are carriers out there where your 'account number' is your IMEI. But it is the IMEI that you registered the SIM with and by popping a SIM into a new phone and then getting rid of the old one, you do not have the IMEI which is the 'account number' and your port out will fail (also a real scenario).
All I'm saying is - there are also significant issues that can happen with SIM use.
 
mnsportsgeek said:
Why would anyone buy it if there's no benefit over the sim version? Even if you prefer esim, there's no reason not to a sim slot unless Apple will do something with the space.
Click to expand...

Apple could pitch it as saving the world for plastic SIM card waste ( throw away electronics are bad. but buy a new iPhone every 2-3 years. ) . And don't have to put that Sim-card-tray-poker in the box.

It is more along the lines of dropping CD/DVD players and floppies from Macs. In part, it will be pitched as "you won't miss it". The default would be to just give folks the sim-less phone and the sim card model would be a special order for those out of the "norm" usages for them.

Some people switch sim cards multiple times a year and some folks never touch it for the lifetime they have the phone. Those folks this is a "big deal". But probably for a large number of folks it is a non issue. (so why do they need a sim-card version is as equally applicable viewpoint. It is a non factor so Apple doesn't need to 'sell' it as a feature. )


There is some security case upgrades in not having a SIM that someone could steal ( yes, can put a lock on the SIM but not a common practice. )



All that said it seems rather pre-mature. Apple eSIM support list in the USA doesn't have many MVNO.


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 support.apple.com


Most of the super discount / low cost carriers aren't on the list. Those folks have zero relationship with the Apple store so perhaps makes sense there. But elsewhere, it actually helps with "vendor lock-in" for the major carriers if they are the only ones offering it. ( e.g. quit expensive major to save money ... ooops phone not compatible with that network so can't go.)
 
I use both, the physical sim for my business line and the esim for my personal. As long as two lines remain an option, I’m happy.
 
Last edited:
IIGS User said:
E-sim only is not happening.

It scales the supply chain too wide. A separate model, case, die set, manufacturing.

It doesn't work on the logistics end.

E-sim option for carriers works because you can ship the same model without having to differentiate between the two.

It leads up to incremental change, and once all the major carriers are e sim, then maybe you will see e-sim only phones. But not in the next 5 years. Until it's the world standard, people will still want phones with a sim card slot. Myself included.
Click to expand...

They already make a 2 Sim Version for the Chinese market
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back