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Other iPhone 14 with SIM card tray

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macrumors 6502
Original poster
Jun 8, 2015
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Did anyone understand if it's going to be possible to buy iPhone 14 WITH SIM card tray?
I have planned to buy the new iPhone in the US, but my home country doesn't support Esim.
 
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lordhamster said:
When traveling to some countries, you can buy local sims dirt cheap where the providers may not support eSim. Good for international travelers.

Other benefit is for people who swap their sim between multiple phones for whatever reason.
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Gotcha! Makes sense, thanks 🙏
 
DevinNj said:
For idiots like me, is there an advantage of having an actual SIM card as opposed to ESIM?
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Mainly travel or cost savings if you combine a cheap voice plan with a cheap data plan, in some of these cases you can get physical SIM only

If you're an average person with a standard T-Mobile/Verizon/AT&T etc plan, and don't need to change it ever, you likely won't be negatively affected by this, except that you might have to contact them/go in person when you upgrade your phone for a new eSIM token. So I'm guessing 99% of people won't be too affected by this
 
No ne saw this coming Apple working with carriers in the us to make sure you get stuck with them and harder for you or people like me with multiple phones to just take out your sim and put in another phone and go so i think i'll be keeping my iPhone 13 Pro max
 
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joeblow7777 said:
Not all carriers support eSIM. Maybe they do in the States, but not internationally, so it would definitely be an issue if you need a local SIM while traveling.
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Pre-covid, my work took me literally all over the world. I mean 250,000 butt in seat international air miles a year at least.

I never once had to buy a local sim. I did however on multiple occasions download eSims for use since covid which has been a great alternative. Trying to buy local sims in many places has become a bigger PITA than ever before as well. Some countries require ID to buy them and/or a local bank account. The trend for local sims has been they are getting more annoying to buy. Frankly with the advent of apps like Airalo + whatsapp/signal etc/, the need for the short term traveler to buy a local sim has diminished drastically.

For the longest time I used Google FI as my carrier specifically for the coverage, but the advent of eSims has really made Fi's advantage there moot.

I definitely get the advantage of Physical sim for folks who want to buy local sims for longer stays or expat type situations. Probably the iPhone 13 is the sweet spot for them till the rest of the world catches up.
 
joeblow7777 said:
Not all carriers support eSIM. Maybe they do in the States, but not internationally, so it would definitely be an issue if you need a local SIM while traveling.
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Even in the US, carriers like Xfinity Mobile do not support eSIM even though they use Verizon's network. I also travel overseas for business and pleasure and if I can no longer pop in a local SIM on getting to my destination country, the iPhone 14 is not much of an option for me. I've also liked the form factor of smaller phones like the 12 and 13 mini, which has already been on the back of my mind with the iPhone 14 not having the mini option. Now, I have 1 more reason why the 14 isn't an option.
 
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Do you think that other provider, beside Apple, will sell the iPhone with physical SIM card in the US?
I really hoped to buy the new iPhone :(
 
Lots of posters mentioning travel. You can buy esims now for just about any country at sensible cost. I use Airalo to buy and manage mine.

Will be interesting to know if the models with SIM tray outside of the US support dual esim (operating at the same time)
 
Very disappointed in this decision. No physical sim will keep me from upgrading. Currently iPhone 12. My personal line is sim and business is a physical card. Since the card is supplied from my company, there is currently no way to change that to a esim. Any thoughts or tricks on getting one with a physical sim. I hate to have to carry two phones around.
 
I'm honestly not really seeing a compelling reason to upgrade to the 14. This lack of SIM tray is a mistake on Apple's part. They WILL lose customers as many MVNOs still do not support eSIM, and no matter how easy Apple suggests using eSIMs is, it will never be as easy as swapping a SIM card. I'd almost be willing to predict that Apple will bring the tray back for the 15.
 
ukms said:
Lots of posters mentioning travel. You can buy esims now for just about any country at sensible cost. I use Airalo to buy and manage mine.

Will be interesting to know if the models with SIM tray outside of the US support dual esim (operating at the same time)
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The issue is eSIM plans are almost always more expensive than physical SIMs on the ground.

In HK, you can get a 150GB 30-day local SIM for $5.
 
g35 said:
Mainly travel or cost savings if you combine a cheap voice plan with a cheap data plan, in some of these cases you can get physical SIM only

If you're an average person with a standard T-Mobile/Verizon/AT&T etc plan, and don't need to change it ever, you likely won't be negatively affected by this, except that you might have to contact them/go in person when you upgrade your phone for a new eSIM token. So I'm guessing 99% of people won't be too affected by this
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Esim switch can be done at least with T-Mobile online in under five minutes. Just did it now.
 
Just buy from a UK seller on Ebay.

There are loads every year, especially selling the 1TB model. Although at launch, given the price here is £1750 (just £1550 last year!) for the top model Max, they'll likely be on Ebay at £2500 (US$2900).
 
JPack said:
The issue is eSIM plans are almost always more expensive than physical SIMs on the ground.

In HK, you can get a 150GB 30-day local SIM for $5.
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Fair enough that’s an extreme example but don’t you think over time that will change ? More and more carriers will move to esim ?

From my experience esims for short term travel are readily available, affordable and easy to manage. I’ve used them a lot.
 
ukms said:
Fair enough that’s an extreme example but don’t you think over time that will change ? More and more carriers will move to esim ?

From my experience esims for short term travel are readily available, affordable and easy to manage. I’ve used them a lot.
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Yes, I think it will change over time. But why do I as a consumer, have to spearhead that initiative and forego access to inexpensive physical SIM plans?

There is absolutely no benefit to consumers. On the other hand, Apple gets to save a few dollars in components by not including a SIM tray.
 
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JPack said:
Yes, I think it will change over time. But why do I as a consumer, have to spearhead that initiative and forego access to inexpensive physical SIM plans?

There is absolutely no benefit to consumers. On the other hand, Apple gets to save a few dollars in components by not including a SIM tray.
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Perhaps it’s not just apple ….. maybe the US carriers want to gradually move away from production of physical sims, it will take time but this is a good way to kick start it.
 
Hello again
Does anyone know if I can order the iPhone from Canada to NY? And how much will it cost (fees beyond the price of the product)?
 
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