iPhone 17 Just a rant about the disappearance of the physical SIM from the iPhone 17

[grumpykoala]

I travel overseas for work sometimes, and some of these countries do not support eSIM technology.
Up until now, I was able to have my US eSIM, and then put a physical SIM wherever I go.

I was getting iPhones for work every year, then I got the iPhone 13 when it came out, but Apple decided to ditch the physical SIM on the Apple 14.
Ever since, I haven't upgraded my work iPhone anymore... I planned to get one from Canada this year, but they don't have physical SIMs anymore. I checked the prices in Europe and they are much more expensive.

Now it seems that the next time I need to replace my aging iPhone 13, I might have to switch to a SAMSUNG phone for work... I can't believe it.

Anyone with the need of a Physical SIM? Or is it just me?

 

[CMoore515]

At this point, every major US carrier supports Quick Transfer for eSIMs. As soon as eSIM was available in the 13 series, I switched and haven't looked back. Literally takes under 3 minutes to transfer my main line to a new phone every time.

There are also cheap eSIM plans you can buy for when you travel.

I personally don't see the need for physical SIMs anymore.

 

[uacd]

I don’t like that you cannot take sim out anymore. And I don’t like to hassle with carrier apps and QR codes, this is very inconvenient. With physical SIM you just swap and go.

Unfortunately that’s a sad reality, they removed SIM slot for literally no reason. This year they gave slightly larger batteries tho, but I don’t believe it was worth to remove a slot.

If Apple was to make a real slotless, portless phone it should have been thinner and smaller than iPhone Air. But to me it looks like they have run out of ideas at this point.

Going Samsung isn’t too bad of an option, I hope Korean giant won’t copy Apple again and ditch them too in their next phones, because they have already ditched SD cards for phones

 

[mrochester]

I don’t like that you cannot take sim out anymore. And I don’t like to hassle with carrier apps and QR codes, this is very inconvenient. With physical SIM you just swap and go.

Unfortunately that’s a sad reality, they removed SIM slot for literally no reason. This year they gave slightly larger batteries tho, but I don’t believe it was worth to remove a slot.

If Apple was to make a real slotless, portless phone it should have been thinner and smaller than iPhone Air. But to me it looks like they have run out of ideas at this point.

Going Samsung isn’t too bad of an option, I hope Korean giant won’t copy Apple again and ditch them too in their next phones, because they have already ditched SD cards for phones

Physical SIM cards will disappear for everyone.

 

[rui no onna]

I travel overseas for work sometimes, and some of these countries do not support eSIM technology.
Up until now, I was able to have my US eSIM, and then put a physical SIM wherever I go.

I was getting iPhones for work every year, then I got the iPhone 13 when it came out, but Apple decided to ditch the physical SIM on the Apple 14.
Ever since, I haven't upgraded my work iPhone anymore... I planned to get one from Canada this year, but they don't have physical SIMs anymore. I checked the prices in Europe and they are much more expensive.

Now it seems that the next time I need to replace my aging iPhone 13, I might have to switch to a SAMSUNG phone for work... I can't believe it.

Anyone with the need of a Physical SIM? Or is it just me?

We keep older iPhones for travel (12, 13 and SE 2022) as we need local numbers in the Philippines. It's not really an issue anymore as all Filipino carriers have added support for prepaid eSIM in the past 2 years. We'll still use the old phones though as cellphone theft is quite rampant there.

That said, if you don't need a local phone number for calling/texting and don't need a lot of data, travel eSIMs are fairly decently priced.

 

[WarmWinterHat]

At this point, every major US carrier supports Quick Transfer for eSIMs. As soon as eSIM was available in the 13 series, I switched and haven't looked back. Literally takes under 3 minutes to transfer my main line to a new phone every time.

There are also cheap eSIM plans you can buy for when you travel.

I personally don't see the need for physical SIMs anymore.

Quick transfer needs to be an option between iPhone and Android, and vice versa. I don't like it either as all it does is benefit the carriers by making moving phones harder between carriers and devices...I shouldn't have to involve the carrier, at all, to move my sim between devices.

..and I used to take out my sim and throw it in a flip-phone when going on multi-day backpacking trips. Can't do that anymore...

 

[Xenomorph]

I was worried when I got my iPhone 14 Pro that I'd struggle with lack of SIM. I've swapped phones often enough that I've learned to rely on the convenience of just popping a SIM card in instead of having to call the carrier to initiate a transfer (something I did far too often back in the CDMA days).

But in the years since, it's luckily not been an issue, at all. I've moved eSIM back and forth between devices - even between iPhone and Android. I've initiated eSIM downloads from websites, apps, QR codes, and even just "hold phones close together".

But then again, I don't travel to places where I've needed to purchase a SIM card or had limited eSIM options.

Going from the US to Canada or Mexico, you just use your existing SIM/eSIM and either get free or cheap roaming. But outside of those areas, getting local service is possibly the best option.

I know there are eSIM apps, but I'm going to assume that they are both limited in their options (they may have just 1 carrier option for a country) and priced way, way too high ("just $30 for 30 days of data" is beyond insane when you see that the package only include a max of something like 1 GB for the entire period) compared to just picking up a cheap SIM card at a local store or carrier.

Basically, even though eSIM has worked for me, I totally get how it would NOT work so well for those who travel. Apple should have offered an "International iPhone" option. They could easily charge a markup on it, and some would still buy it that need to travel.

 

[arc of the universe]

I travel overseas for work sometimes, and some of these countries do not support eSIM technology.
Up until now, I was able to have my US eSIM, and then put a physical SIM wherever I go.

I was getting iPhones for work every year, then I got the iPhone 13 when it came out, but Apple decided to ditch the physical SIM on the Apple 14.
Ever since, I haven't upgraded my work iPhone anymore... I planned to get one from Canada this year, but they don't have physical SIMs anymore. I checked the prices in Europe and they are much more expensive.

Now it seems that the next time I need to replace my aging iPhone 13, I might have to switch to a SAMSUNG phone for work... I can't believe it.

Anyone with the need of a Physical SIM? Or is it just me?

sure. there are still some/many carriers outside of the USA who have not switched to esim, including for tourists/temporary visitors.
the iPhone Air was apple's first globally non-physical sim iPhone.
since china has finally approved esim phones, apple will stop producing physical sim phones very soon.
i would imagine the iPhone Fold will also be globally esim only.
the china shift was the sign for these hold out carriers that they need to provide for esim support, or they will be out of business.
in your case, you stand a very good chance that when you buy your next iPhone any country you are visiting will have mainly esim plans, even for temporary visitors.

the real issue with esim phones: you really need to check with your carrier how they can give you another code to renew your esim if you ever need to change fones. the reason why you need to find this out is because if a criminal claims they are you, how easy is it for that criminal to convince the carrier to email them a QR code for them to use your mobile number.
choose a carrier that has a thorough way of verifying that the person requesting this new QR code is in fact the real owner of that mobile number.
we live in a world where our mobile number is the most important number. it provides access to everything.

 

[snipr125]

In 2025 there should be no need for physical SIM cards, everything should be digital. That space is now being used for larger batteries thankfully, but all mobile networks worldwide should make it extremely easy to use esims going forward, like how physical sims can be swapped.

 

[svish]

In the US, there is no issue in getting an eSIM. For travel one could always get travel eSIMs. However this is not the case in all countries.

Outside US, eSIM transfers especially when device is damaged or stolen is not always convenient. I prefer to have physical SIM for this reason.

This is my experience for iPad with eSIM, though not connected directly with iPhone 17, shows the potential problem of eSIM in my country:
My current carrier does not support eSIM Quick Transfer.I decided to switch carriers (when I got a new eSIM iPad Pro) so that in the future whenever I change my iPad, I can make use of Apple’s Quick Transfer option. My previous carrier requires me to visit a store, show ID, convert eSIM to physical SIM, insert that physical SIM on a phone and request for an eSIM for my new iPad using SMS. Very big hassle. Thankfully the new carrier allows Quick Transfer.


I am happy to buy the phone with a physical SIM slot. It is only a matter of time before Apple decides to go all in with eSIM for all its devices. Think for sure the upcoming foldable will be eSIM only.

Here in my country, out of the 3 major carriers, only one supports Apple’s all 3 methods of eSIM activation (Quick Transfer, Carrier Activation, Scanning QR code or using network provider app).

Without supporting Quick Transfer, it is very difficult to switch eSIM between devices, especially for devices that cannot receive a SMS (for One Time Password) and that includes the iPad at present and if Apple is going to have a cellular MacBook, that too will be similar.


So overall, I prefer to have physical SIM. And yes, eSIM has higher security in the sense that it cannot be removed from the device in case it is stolen, but for now I prefer physical SIM. For customers based in US, don’t think it is an issue but it is quite a bit of hassle in some regions. Very happy that my iPhone 17 Pro Max has a physical SIM. Don’t even mind the slight reduction in battery capacity.

 

[PPCmike]

We keep older iPhones for travel (12, 13 and SE 2022) as we need local numbers in the Philippines. It's not really an issue anymore as all Filipino carriers have added support for prepaid eSIM in the past 2 years. We'll still use the old phones though as cellphone theft is quite rampant there.

That said, if you don't need a local phone number for calling/texting and don't need a lot of data, travel eSIMs are fairly decently priced.

Is Ditto still an issue with the iPhone?

 

[rui no onna]

Is Ditto still an issue with the iPhone?

Still no iMessage, etc. and I believe it still shows 515 55 instead of the carrier name. I think others have reported it has 5G now though.

I just stick to Smart and Globe (GOMO really). I've yet to go somewhere where both are unusable.

 

[PPCmike]

Still no iMessage, etc. and I believe it still shows 515 55 instead of the carrier name. I think others have reported it has 5G now though.

I just stick to Smart and Globe (GOMO really). I've yet to go somewhere where both are unusable.

I'm trying to figure out how the imessage part wont work

 

[rui no onna]

I'm trying to figure out how the imessage part wont work

I believe iMessage requires a carrier profile and there's no carrier profile for DITO.

At least in the US, MVNOs still get a generic carrier profile based on the network they're using.

 

[1rottenapple]

We keep older iPhones for travel (12, 13 and SE 2022) as we need local numbers in the Philippines. It's not really an issue anymore as all Filipino carriers have added support for prepaid eSIM in the past 2 years. We'll still use the old phones though as cellphone theft is quite rampant there.

That said, if you don't need a local phone number for calling/texting and don't need a lot of data, travel eSIMs are fairly decently priced.

Good to know in my future trips there.

 

[Nermal]

I don't like it either as all it does is benefit the carriers

Indeed. One of them over here is playing games where some eSIM-only phones are treated as "premium" and they won't let you activate cheap plans on them. Meanwhile with the physical SIM you can activate whichever plan you like, and put it in whatever phone you like.

 

[Antaris]

I travel overseas for work sometimes, and some of these countries do not support eSIM technology.
Up until now, I was able to have my US eSIM, and then put a physical SIM wherever I go.

I was getting iPhones for work every year, then I got the iPhone 13 when it came out, but Apple decided to ditch the physical SIM on the Apple 14.
Ever since, I haven't upgraded my work iPhone anymore... I planned to get one from Canada this year, but they don't have physical SIMs anymore. I checked the prices in Europe and they are much more expensive.

Now it seems that the next time I need to replace my aging iPhone 13, I might have to switch to a SAMSUNG phone for work... I can't believe it.

Anyone with the need of a Physical SIM? Or is it just me?

I miss it, as it was easier to back up photos and music, but a direct connection to the computer (wired, wireless) works just as well and as so many MicroSD cards aren't as robust as the flash or nvme that's put onto the phone's mainboard, I really no longer miss the SD cards.

 

[JanetTheGreat]

Now that I have an esim (it was hard getting it from physical sim to esim), I don't see the need for physical sim cards anymore.

 

[T5BRICK]

Most of my traveling is between the US, Canada and Mexico, so no need to swap sims. I have played around with an eSIM and MVNOs previously, and it worked just fine. For my use case I definitely appreciate the larger battery.

 

[ellent]

I travel overseas for work sometimes, and some of these countries do not support eSIM technology.
Up until now, I was able to have my US eSIM, and then put a physical SIM wherever I go.

I was getting iPhones for work every year, then I got the iPhone 13 when it came out, but Apple decided to ditch the physical SIM on the Apple 14.
Ever since, I haven't upgraded my work iPhone anymore... I planned to get one from Canada this year, but they don't have physical SIMs anymore. I checked the prices in Europe and they are much more expensive.

Now it seems that the next time I need to replace my aging iPhone 13, I might have to switch to a SAMSUNG phone for work... I can't believe it.

Anyone with the need of a Physical SIM? Or is it just me?

I just travelled to Kenya. In order to use the most widely accepted electronic payment method call M-Pesa you need a mobile account with Safaricom which does not support esims. So if your phone doesn't have the ability to accept a physical sim you cannot use this method of payment and would need to rely on credit cards (up to 10% surcharge added by merchants and not accepted at all by many small vendors) or cash. I guess when I upgrade I will hang onto my iphone 12 for these situations - not very convenient.

 

[Jackbequickly]

Might as well get used to it as all cell phones will be SIM free soon.

 

[Big_D]

I think it very much depends on the use case.

I switched to eSIM a couple of years back on my private phone and on my company phone. It makes switching to newer phones a doddle and I don't need foreign eSIMs or physical SIMs, because I mainly travel in Europe, where calls and data are covered by my German contract with no roaming fees, also when I travel to the US, the roaming is on a reciprocal agreement.

Also, when we lose a phone at work, we can just reset the phone remotely, cancel the eSIM and set up another phone without waiting for a new SIM to be issued.

Obviously, if you are travelling to areas where eSIMs aren't common and you are staying longer and their is no reciprocal roaming agreement, that getting a local SIM makes financial sense, it also makes sense to have a phone that can also take a physical SIM.

 

[Barbareren]

Indeed. One of them over here is playing games where some eSIM-only phones are treated as "premium" and they won't let you activate cheap plans on them. Meanwhile with the physical SIM you can activate whichever plan you like, and put it in whatever phone you like.

Yes, that's exactly how it works here in Mexico. First of all you need a plan and even the cheapest one costs twice as much as I pay using my PAYG card. So switching to eSIM would cost me way more than me just filling up my card every month through my bank app, and on top of that they charge you 100 pesos extra per month for the "privilege" of using eSIM. F-n ridiculous. And if you want to change phones using the same number, you will have to do it at the carrier-store every single time... ugh Hopefully it will get more user-friendly eventually, but this country is not exactly known for its "speediness" and efficiency... (however it has many other great qualities of course).

 

[jeremydc]

Lucky I live in China . 2 Physical sims.

 

[rui no onna]

Yes, that's exactly how it works here in Mexico. First of all you need a plan and even the cheapest one costs twice as much as I pay using my PAYG card. So switching to eSIM would cost me way more than me just filling up my card every month through my bank app, and on top of that they charge you 100 pesos extra per month for the "privilege" of using eSIM. F-n ridiculous. And if you want to change phones using the same number, you will have to do it at the carrier-store every single time... ugh Hopefully it will get more user-friendly eventually, but this country is not exactly known for its "speediness" and efficiency... (however it has many other great qualities of course).

This used to be the case in the Philippines as well. There's been eSIM support since 2018 but only for expensive postpaid plans.

The situation hadn't really changed until a year after the first eSIM-only iPhone (US iPhone 14) was released. The Philippines got its first prepaid eSIM in 2023 (same rates and promos as prepaid physical SIMs) with the rest of the prepaid carriers following in 2024 and 2025.