On September 1, new signs emerged suggesting that Apple plans to remove the physical SIM card slot from the iPhone 17 series in more countries and regions this year.
A source familiar with the matter told MacRumors that retail staff at Apple-authorized dealers must complete training related to eSIM-enabled iPhones by Friday, September 5. The training materials are available through Apple’s SEED app, which is used by Apple Store employees and Apple-authorized dealers worldwide, indicating that eSIM training might extend beyond the EU.
In the U.S., all iPhone 14 series and later models have no SIM card slot and rely entirely on digital eSIM technology. While Apple has yet to remove the SIM card slot in any other countries or regions, it’s highly likely to begin doing so with the iPhone 17 series.
Last year, The Information magazine reported that Apple plans to remove physical SIM cards in more countries and regions starting in 2025.
According to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, due to the ultra-thin design of the iPhone 17 Air, this model will likely not feature a SIM card slot in most, if not all, countries and regions. However, iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max may also only support eSIM in international markets. There may still be a few exceptions, such as in China.
When the iPhone 14 series was launched in 2022, Apple promoted eSIM as being more secure than physical SIM cards, as eSIMs cannot be lost or stolen after an iPhone is taken. Additionally, users can manage at least eight eSIMs on a single iPhone, eliminating the need to swap SIM cards while traveling.
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