iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro Models Are eSIM-Only in These Countries

[MacRumors]

Apple continues to phase out the physical SIM card tray on iPhones, with the latest models relying solely on eSIM technology in more countries.

The new iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max support eSIMs only in these countries and regions, according to Apple:

• Bahrain
• Canada
• Guam
• Japan
• Kuwait
• Mexico
• Oman
• Qatar
• Saudi Arabia
• United Arab Emirates
• United States
• U.S. Virgin Islands

If you are unaware, an eSIM is essentially a digital version of a SIM card. The latest iPhones do not support physical SIM cards in the above countries and regions, so this is a major change that customers in those places will have to adapt to.

Apple says eSIM-only models of these iPhones are equipped with a larger battery that fills the space formerly occupied by the physical SIM card tray.

Apple started phasing out SIM cards starting with the iPhone 14 series, in the U.S. only.

iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max models sold everywhere else, including in Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, and South Korea, still have nano-SIM card trays alongside eSIM support. In China, the devices support nano-SIM cards only.

As for the all-new, ultra-thin iPhone Air, that is an eSIM-only model worldwide. Yes, that includes China, contrary to some rumors leading up to today.

iPhones with eSIM capabilities support at least eight eSIMs, allowing you to conveniently switch between supported carriers around the world.

When the iPhone 14 series launched in 2022, Apple promoted eSIMs as being more secure than physical SIM cards, as they cannot be removed from an iPhone that is lost or stolen. In addition, at least eight eSIMs can be managed on an iPhone at once, eliminating the need to obtain, carry, and swap SIM cards while traveling.

Article Link: iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro Models Are eSIM-Only in These Countries

 

[latts]

Wonder if all eSIM models will be available elsewhere or ONLY in those countries?

 

[Love-hate 🍏 relationship]

so frustrating, why didnt they do like the 17 air and do e-sim wordlwide ? now i'm left wondering whether I should wait for the 18

 

[Love-hate 🍏 relationship]

also how come the 17 air is released without a phsyical sim in china? I thought this wasnt allowed

 

[canadianreader]

Next will be the charging port to make room for an even bigger battery

 

[svish]

In my region, it is still physical SIM. Prefer to have physical SIM as it is not very convenient to get a new physical SIM later on, if needed from carriers in my country. Expecting Apple to have e-sim only devices in more countries next year.

 

[Jonas Danielsson]

Why not make this as an option, I live in Europe and I want more battery and have no use for sim tray. You could choose storage space, screen size etc why not have a option with sim tray

 

[Kylo83]

So the uk we get worse batt life

 

[Metrosey]

Wonder if all eSIM models will be available elsewhere or ONLY in those countries?

That’s what I’m wondering too. Would be good to have the option, but from a supply chain would be more costly and challenging.

 

[chars1ub0w]

Why don't they allow e-SIM plus physical micro-SIMs so you could have two SIM cards to use and share/borrow. Then e-SIMs for those you don't share/borrow?

 

[Porco]

Very pleased the UK still has the option.

 

[Dirty Mac]

Wonder if carriers are going to gouge us and make us pay for the esim on our existing plans that are using physical sims if we buy a iphone 17 series?

 

[SebbsBo]

Wonder if all eSIM models will be available elsewhere or ONLY in those countries?

Only those countries will sell the iPhones with eSIM, while other countries will have SIM tray. I hope it helps. eSIM iPhones will still work in any other country that supports eSIM such as majority of South America and in Europe.

 

[Paddle1]

Why don't they allow e-SIM plus physical micro-SIMs so you could have two SIM cards to use and share/borrow. Then e-SIMs for those you don't share/borrow?

You can use both physical and eSIM on phones that still have the tray.

 

[Darajavahus]

Jesus I'm using esim since iPhone 12 in Poland, why would I buy this one knowing that other countries get 2h more battery life?

 

[nortonandreev]

Europe still isn’t ready for an eSIM-only experience, unfortunately. I’ve tried, but ran into issues from the start with buggy eSIM activations. Last year I discovered that EE (UK) doesn’t allow eSIM activation while roaming—a major drawback. To avoid getting stuck again, I ended up ordering a physical SIM. Mobile carriers need to make the process of requesting, activating, and transferring eSIMs far more seamless.

 

[User 6502]

Very pleased the UK still has the option.

Very displeased it still does. yet another reason not to get this and wait for next year, maybe they’ll have a better offering without a pointless SIM card slot that takes up space and battery life.

 

[Paddle1]

I'm glad that they waited until there was an actual benefit before removing physical SIM in other countries, but it seems mmWave is still exclusive to the US model for some reason.

 

[JaJaWa]

Previously it was:​

Hong Kong, Macau, China models
2 plastic SIMs only

US models
2 eSIMs only

All other countries models
1 plastic SIM and 1 eSIM OR 2 eSIMs (both supported)

Now it looks like (excluding iPhone Air):​

China models
2 plastic SIMs only

Hong Kong, Macau models
2 plastic SIMs or 2 eSIMs or a combination

Bahrain, Canada, Guam, Japan, Kuwait, Mexico, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, United States, U.S. Virgin Islands models
2 eSIMs only

All other countries models
1 plastic SIM and 1 eSIM OR 2 eSIMs (both supported)

?

 

[jaytv111]

also how come the 17 air is released without a phsyical sim in china? I thought this wasnt allowed

It's "special". Probably had to negotiate with China to get this exemption. Can only use the Chinese version with China's eSIM.

Using eSIM with your iPhone in China mainland - Apple Support

Learn which iPhone models support eSIM in China mainland and how to set up cellular service on your device.

support.apple.com

 

[ZipZilla]

Europe still isn’t ready for an eSIM-only experience, unfortunately. I’ve tried, but ran into issues from the start with buggy eSIM activations. Last year I discovered that EE (UK) doesn’t allow eSIM activation while roaming—a major drawback. To avoid getting stuck again, I ended up ordering a physical SIM. Mobile carriers need to make the process of requesting, activating, and transferring eSIMs far more seamless.

I think they'll get there. I did read where one carrier in Europe (not sure which country) mails people a QR code in the post to activate their eSIM.

The prepaid carriers have the situation down cold, activate right on the phone through the app and the eSIM downloads almost immediately and activates. Really convenient.

 

[nortonandreev]

mails people a QR code in the post to activate their eSIM

It's like this in Bulgaria. A physical card with a QR code is the only option and they charge €5 for it.

 

[Porco]

Very displeased it still does. yet another reason not to get this and wait for next year, maybe they’ll have a better offering without a pointless SIM card slot that takes up space and battery life.

You could buy an Air, that has the choice removed already. Or import?

 

[crypthick]

If I had the option of e-sim only in the UK I would go with that model.

 

[Kottu]

Have been using eSIM for the past six years in Sweden. Every operator in Sweden support it, and installation is way too easier than in most of the operators in other countries. I think Apple is worried if EU gonna start a new law suit if iPhone doesn't support physical SIM card. At the same time iPhone Air doesn't have it either.