2018 iPhones Said to Feature Both Embedded Apple SIM and Traditional SIM Card Tray

At least one of Apple's widely rumored trio of new iPhones expected to be unveiled this September will feature dual-SIM, dual-standby, according to Chinese news publication 21st Century Business Herald via LoveiOS.

apple sim iphone
A translated version of the article claims the functionality will be enabled by an embedded Apple SIM in the iPhones, in addition to a traditional SIM card placed into the usual tray. In China, where Apple SIM is not available, the report claims Apple will offer an iPhone with two physical SIM card trays.

Apple introduced its Apple SIM in 2014 to provide cellular iPad users with a convenient way to switch between carriers and use short-term data plans as needed, useful for those who travel between countries frequently. It works with select carriers in more than 180 countries and regions around the world.

Initially, the Apple SIM was only available as a physical card that needed to be inserted into the tray when needed, but it is now embedded inside the latest iPad Pro models. Apple still sells physical Apple SIMs at its retail stores in many countries for use with the lower-cost 9.7-inch iPad and other models.

The report doesn't specify which of the 2018 iPhones will have an embedded Apple SIM, but Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has previously said the 6.1-inch "budget iPhone X" and 6.5-inch "iPhone X Plus," but oddly not the second-generation 5.8-inch iPhone X, will support dual-SIM, dual-standby.

Kuo has also said Apple may release two 6.1-inch iPhone models, and in light of today's report, this could be referring to a nearly-worldwide variant with an embedded Apple SIM and a Chinese variant with dual SIM card trays.

All in all, it should be easier to switch between carriers and data plans on future iPhones, providing users with more flexibility.

Related Forum: iPhone

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Top Rated Comments

Ds6778 Avatar
92 months ago
We all know it’ll lock to the first carrier you choose. Carriers manage to screw up things I didn’t know they could.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
foobarbaz Avatar
92 months ago
Here in Germany dual sim are somewhat common for saving money, but not because of travel.

For some bizarre reason data that comes with phone plans is very expensive, yet “tablet plans” offer LTE data much much cheaper. So people actually use one SIM for data and another for calling.

This is so stupid. We have to have hardware solutions to problems caused by lack of competition ...
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
mi7chy Avatar
92 months ago
eSIM takes away control from the phone owner and gives too much to the carrier. For that reason I'd never touch a phone with eSIM only.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Bornee35 Avatar
92 months ago
They should scale the number of SIM cards with the camera lenses for the hell of it.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
profets Avatar
92 months ago
Interesting, I guess like the iPad Pro that has the embedded SIM and physical SIM.

I figure eventually once eSIM catches on with carriers that Apple would love to go eSIM only, and remove another port/opening on the device.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
theengineerbox Avatar
92 months ago
Thiz is great. My gf can use official phone number abd the party fameles can use the other number. Perfecto
What are you trying to say?
Hard to know when spelling isn't strong here
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)