The SIM card slot is on Apple’s hit list: According to a report, with the “iPhone 17” generation expected in 2025, the manufacturer is eliminating the slot in other countries. The smartphone can then connect to the mobile network through two permanently integrated eSIMs. Apple has already taken this step with iPhones produced for the US market, they no longer support physical SIM cards. In Germany and most other regions, a SIM card can still be inserted and replaced into an existing iPhone 16 (Pro).
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iPhone 17 Air is reportedly too thin for a SIM card slot
In particular the flat “iPhone 17 Air”, which has long been speculated to be too thin for a SIM card slot, As reported by The Information quoting people with knowledgeIt is being told that the design of the new model has not been finalized yet. However, Apple is planning to remove the slot for the physical SIM somehow – from other variants of the iPhone 17 series as well. In addition to the base model and the new “Air”, the iPhone 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max are also expected to arrive. However, the report leaves open which countries are planning fundamental changes.
The fact that Apple is eliminating slots from its hardware worldwide is already demonstrated by the new iPads: the iPad Pro M4, iPad Air M2 and iPad Mini 2024 rely entirely on eSIM and for the first time Do not support classic SIM cards – not even in Germany. Apple promotes eSIM as a “secure alternative to physical SIM cards”.
What changes with eSIM
More and more mobile phone providers now support the technology and offer tariffs that can be activated directly as eSIMs. The eSIM is reprogrammable and supports multiple profiles for different tariffs that can be used alternatively. The two eSIMs in the iPhone also support dual SIM mode, allowing the user to be contacted on both phone numbers.
Even while traveling abroad, data quota can be booked easily and conveniently through eSIM in many countries. However, the option to obtain a SIM card from a local provider for long-term stays abroad is no longer applicable. Some users may also lack the flexibility of a physical SIM, which can be instantly plugged into another device of their own.
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