The physical SIM card could disappear in the iPhone 17 Air due to a size factor since it would be the thinnest in its history, although it will not be so easy to implement it worldwide
There was a news story this week that sparked an interesting observation according to a new position that Apple could take regarding physical SIM cards. Taking into account that the iPhone 17 Air aims to be the thinnest in iPhone history, Cupertino engineers would be having problems to implement said card tray. The easiest way would be to do without it so that it becomes the first iPhone in the world compatible only with eSIM.
The path of the eSIM at Apple already has a proven track record
Curiously, The eSIM came first to an Apple Watch and not to the iPhone. The Apple Watch Series 3 was the first device in Apple’s history with a virtual SIM. In 2018, the iPhone XS and iPhone XR added eSIM support with a traditional SIM tray.
Only China is the country that cannot use this technology due to legislation that prohibits it. due to the fact that it is not possible to identify the owner of an eSIM. This same reason is what causes the iPhone in this territory to be sold with a dual SIM tray.
The iPhone SIM card has its days numbered, the eSIM is the future
Starting with iPhone 13 it is possible to have a second eSIM and avoid having a physical SIM. Until 2022, With the iPhone 14, Apple made the radical decision to remove the SIM card tray in the United States. The reason is more than obvious, the main operators in the North American country already support eSIM, in addition to the fact that other virtual mobile operators have emerged. Another important reason is that iPhones in the United States have mmWave that enhances 5G in terms of higher frequency.
A good number of countries benefit from the eSIM but the picture is not the same for everyone
If Apple decides that the iPhone 17 Air will not have a SIM tray, it is likely that it will not be sold in all countries in which the iPhone has an official presence.
There are a good number of countries in which the iPhone 16 (and earlier) are sold with eSIM compatibility but The SIM tray is maintained because there are other countries that do not have a way to include virtual SIM. In this link you can find out the operators according to the countries that offer the eSIM service.
Movistar and O2 now allow you to change your SIM for an eSIM quickly from the iPhone
With the iPhone 17 Airif launched without SIM tray, The old ways of launching an iPhone in the world could be resumed. Previously They were launched in the form of a “wave”a number of countries received it, as in the United States, being on the first release date, the following week another “wave” and so on consecutively. For the next launch, it would be conditioned on the availability of eSIM in each country in the world if Apple so provides it or being direct by limiting availability in terms of sales as is rumored today.
What decision will Apple make? Regarding the SIM tray of the iPhone 17 Air?
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Source: ipadizate.com
