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

[ThinkDifferentTim]

eSIM is such a nice feature. Too bad this is not available globally.

ESim is available globally. In every iPhone.

 

[Azzurro]

How big of a battery difference are we talking about here?

 

[Tyrion]

So just to be clear: If I buy an iPhone 17 (Pro) in my native Switzerland, I‘m basically getting a crippled phone?

 

[Tyrion]

But you also get an easily swappable physical sim. I would prefer that.

I‘ve never needed this ‚feature‘ even once. Give me eSIM-only now please.

 

[goshya]

I make frequent business trips to China and for a couple years now have only used eSIMs. A HK one if I will need a phone number (rarely the case anymore since I am generally in large cities and prefer to use public transport), otherwise just whatever I grab on the trip.com app or from china mobile's overseas online store if I don't need a #.

You do business in China without a Chinese phone number? Impressive…

 

[Mcrumors David]

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

Obviously, because physical are still used, duh. Usually cheaper too.

 

[Mcrumors David]

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)

?

Looks like this year Hong-Kong gets the EU-version (meaning only 1 physical SIM).

China probably is dual-physical, no eSim.

iPhone - Supported 5G and LTE networks

See the countries and regions that have certified 5G and LTE networks on iPhone including the U.S., Canada, Japan, Germany, China mainland, and more.

www.apple.com

 

[Daytona 360]

I’m in Japan and will need a SIM card slot for business trips to China. If it’s true that iPhone Pro models in Japan no longer support physical SIM cards, I’ll need to fly to Thailand to buy one.
It would have been ideal if Apple allowed customers to choose between eSIM-only and physical SIM card options when ordering online.

South Korea and Taiwan models are nano SIM + eSIM

 

[herok]

I‘ve never needed this ‚feature‘ even once. Give me eSIM-only now please.

Why?
How does the physical SIM slot hinder you from only using 2 eSIMs anyway? You can do that today!

Some countries' carriers don't support eSIM. I use the physical SIM when traveling abroad. If I had no physical SIM slot, I would have to overpay on roaming at some destinations, or overprices global eSIMs. I'll take the local physical SIM anytime (if they don't offer eSIM).

 

[Mat Jam Car]

You mean eSIM-only, right? If so, it's because some UK providers are slow to embrace eSIM, especially when it comes to moving them between devices.

If you really did mean eSIM, then ... umm, all the new phones support eSIM.

Yes, eSIM-only.

 

[The Game 161]

Very pleased the UK still has the option.

Wish they didn’t

We get worse battery size

 

[kerr]

Apple obviously struggling to push eSIM-only on most countries

 

[Yuuuki]

How big of a battery difference are we talking about here?

Depending on the model it can be between 1-3 hours

 

[Tyrion]

Why?
How does the physical SIM slot hinder you from only using 2 eSIMs anyway? You can do that today!

Some countries' carriers don't support eSIM. I use the physical SIM when traveling abroad. If I had no physical SIM slot, I would have to overpay on roaming at some destinations, or overprices global eSIMs. I'll take the local physical SIM anytime (if they don't offer eSIM).

It hinders me from having more battery life!