Honestly a decision that would make me think twice about buying a new iPhone. I like to use my SIM in an Android device and having to contact O2 every time I need a new SIM doesn't sound fun.
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iPhone 15 Rumored to Lack SIM Card Tray in France and Likely Other Countries
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But at what price?
A virtual network costs £10 per month, eSIM supporting networks £30+, and the gap is growing.
This adds £720 to the lifetime cost of the iPhone.
It’s possible that they may not realize that it’s not an eSIM considering they haven’t needed to change the SIM since purchasing the phone, or it’s more likely a typo, like you said.
Those are indeed the big names (missing ee, not sure about orange). I used to be a Vodafone customer but it was just too expensive
And in Belgium, some 30 odd MVNO's, and if they do offer eSIM it is a royal pain in the orifice to get one, harder than just getting physical. I'm actually trying to port my number to a network in Belgium that offers pre-paid eSIM right now, but the process has been stuck for 4 days and they can't tell me why.
I'm all for the convenience, but if network operators are slow to the party Apple might want to hold off, and even then, when I visit various countries such as most of Africa, eSIM is never going to be a thing, not in this lifetime. So yea, I've already got 3 eSIMS, but I am always going to want a physical slot.
This to me is a big issue. My personal SIM is an eSIM so no problems there but work provides me with a phone and Nano SIM. I don’t use that phone, I put the SIM in my iPhone to use as a dual SIM device. Of course not having a SIM slot stops that and it’s way over my head to do anything like convert my work SIM. So it means I’d have to carry two phones or switch devices.
Transferring all your data and apps, easy enough, even between Android and iPhone. But transferring the actual eSIMS, not so much. It depends on the carrier. I swapped iPhones with my wife, all my data came over, but I had to log in to my carriers website and download a replacement eSIM to my new phone. In this case it was easy, other carriers might require you to go into a shop. Travel eSIMs like Airalo don't allow replacements at all. You have to get a new eSIM with new plan, the other one will be lost forever.
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The sim cards are some thing I prefer. I don't like having to call my carrier for an hour to do something that currently takes me 30 secs
Complete no go for me. Developing nations I work in do not activate eSIM’s for any none monthly contract accounts. In other words, no SIM card tray doesn’t work for us until carriers change. That will not be fast in developing and under developed nations.
I met with an Apple business rep at my local store in San Jose. They recommended purchasing from Canada. Then found our Apple Canada will not ship direct to the States.
It‘s created a “mess” for us going forward in the Apple ecosystem we’re used to.
I met with an Apple business rep at my local store in San Jose. They recommended purchasing from Canada. Then found our Apple Canada will not ship direct to the States.
It‘s created a “mess” for us going forward in the Apple ecosystem we’re used to.
As a tourist, try traveling to Malaysia and quickly get an eSIM. Can go through many other countries too, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam and even though Thailand has an eSIM available from most carriers, have to go to the actual company to get it activated. It’s a pain in the ass. For people who travel, don’t buy the damned eSIM only phones. They suck. It’s just most Americans don’t travel. But that doesn’t mean Apple should screw over those of us who do travel. Make a SIM card capable iPhone and charge $100 more or whatever they need to do. I am really ticked off at this Apple move. To do it to further people makes zero sense. Also, I live part time in Thailand and Singapore and it’s all a nightmare now. Wish I had bought the iPhone in another country. Thought well I will get better 5G to get the US version. Not worth it.
Transferring an eSIM on Verizon at least requires no call to the carrier and is done quickly
I have a ten-year visa to China. Love the country so much. Hate the government and talk crap about them all the time. So far, no issues.
Going to be a bumpy road but probably for the best. It's a waste of very limited space to have a physical card when the technology is 100% there to make it irrelevant.
Unprovoked??? I am American and I can say that it provokes so much hatred throughout the world. I love America, but its politicians and social networks are destroying the world right now. And for as long as USA has been a country, it has provoked others needlessly.
Get off your soapbox, this isn't the politics forum. When I said "unprovoked" I meant how people will just randomly toss anti-American agendas into everything here when the topic has nothing about it, and act like every American is the same as the next. It is insulting and demeaning. And I don't care where you're from, never asked.
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I was in Malaysia as a tourist and got a local eSIM easily from Yoodo, without needing to visit a store.
Customise your data, voice and SMS - Yoodo
Malaysia's No.1 most customisable mobile plan! Save more by paying for only what you need. Customise your data, voice, and SMS today!
www.yoodo.com.my
Orange Belgium offers eSIM, but you have to request a physical first. Also, worst customer service and client area I have ever had the displeasure of experiencing. I will never touch that company again with a pole of any length, in any country.
Vodafone Spain offers eSIM, even to prepaid. Going there in a few months, will be getting one. Spain has some of the cheapest data and call rates in Europe.
Sounds like Europe's going to get a generous helping of Courage™ this autumn. 
When eSIM becomes more mainstream, many more carriers are going to support it, even on prepaid. Or else a chunk of customers (iPhone users) will go to other carriers that do support it.
eSIM actually would be great for travel. Imagine downloading the eSIM at your home country and having it ready to roll the minute you get to the other country. The main issue is of course when carriers don't support it. But that will change.
And even when carriers don't support it, you can get international eSIMs. The problem seems to be (aside from cost/GB) the lack of voice and text service. For someone on vacation they might not care that much about getting a phone number in a country.
I mean I get the frustration and all, but things change. In 2016 people said getting rid of the headphone jack could very well collapse the iPhone brand (because everyone in the world uses wired headphones so they're gonna leave). Now it's the physical SIM. No carrier supports eSIM so no one can buy iPhones any more!
Actually you are wrong it’s way worse than this. Only ONE UK network supports esim on pay as you go (aka prepaid) plans and that is… LYCA MOBILE 😂😂😂. Not a single major network in the UK supports pay as you go on esims. esim is only offered to contract customers in the UK.
Also on Three which is a major UK network, only certain postpaid plans allow esim (up until recently three didn’t offer esims at all to any customers whatsoever). Honestly in the UK the adoption of esim has been extremely slow and bad. I don’t see this happening in the UK any time soon.
All countries with cell phone networks will support eSIM, in other words, all countries. So if you have an eSIM and your home carrier allows roaming, you can use your phone on any other network regardless if that local carrier offers eSIM to their local subscribers.
Basically, a network doesn't really know if you have an eSIM or physical sim, all it sees is the credentials inside. Both sims work the same way, the only real difference is the one is embedded in a chip in your phone.
That’s a complete lie and Chinese people must stop spreading this obvious falsehood.
China isn’t the same as Chinese people. The Chinese people are completely different and separate from the Chinese government.
Mass media is vilifying China because they deserv it, but they do not vilify Chinese people