When Apple launches the iPhone 17 lineup soon, we’re likely to see changes, especially regarding SIM cards. Since the iPhone 14, Apple has been using eSIM technology in the U.S. Only. In many countries, users still get physical SIM slots. Interestingly, in China, users can even use two physical SIM cards in one iPhone.
Now, the rumor mill suggests that the iPhone 17 models, particularly the sleek iPhone 17 Air, might ditch the physical SIM tray entirely. This makes sense since the design focuses on keeping everything compact.
Industry experts like Ming-Chi Kuo and reports from The Information share insights that suggest this eSIM-only feature will go global with the iPhone 17 Air. More recently, MacRumors reported that Apple is training retail employees in Europe on how to assist customers with eSIM-enabled devices. The training deadline is just before the iPhone 17’s official release, which adds weight to these claims.
According to a 2023 report by the GSMA, over 1 billion eSIM-enabled devices are expected to be in use by 2025. This shows that the trend toward eSIMs is growing fast, as users appreciate the flexibility they provide.
Apple’s big reveal is planned for September 9. Alongside the iPhone 17 lineup, which includes the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max, we can expect the Apple Watch Series 11 and AirPods Pro 3.
Stay tuned to see how these updates shape the future of smartphones!
