Apple Has Considered Removing SIM Card Slot From Some iPhone 14 Models

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Apple has internally discussed the idea of launching some iPhone models without a SIM card slot by next year, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. In his latest Power On newsletter, Gurman said the move would be part of Apple's push towards eSIMs.

iPhone SIM card
Gurman said the SIM card slot could be removed on some iPhone 14 models, which Apple is expected to announce in just three days from now, although he said there is a possibility that the change will not happen until the iPhone 15 next year. The eventual removal of the SIM card slot has been rumored a few times previously.

"Apple will give eSIM a bigger push this time around, with carriers preparing to steer users toward the digital, embedded SIM cards rather than physical ones," Gurman wrote in his newsletter. "In fact, Apple has considered removing the physical SIM card slot altogether beginning either this year or next for some models."

An eSIM is a digital SIM that allows users to activate a cellular plan without having to use a physical nano-SIM card. eSIM availability is rapidly expanding, but the technology is still not available in all countries, so some iPhone models with a SIM card slot may remain available for at least a few years amid the transition.

iPhone 13 models sold at Apple Stores and on Apple.com already lack a nano-SIM card in the box, with users typically able to activate a cellular plan via eSIM by turning on the iPhone, connecting to a Wi-Fi network, and following the on-screen instructions. iPhone 13 models also support multiple eSIM profiles, allowing users to subscribe to several cellular plans digitally and switch between them, which is useful for travel.

The removal of the SIM card slot could help to further improve the iPhone's water resistance, and perhaps free up a tiny amount of space inside the device.

Apple is expected to announce the iPhone 14 lineup during a special event at Steve Jobs Theater on Wednesday. Other products expected to be announced include Apple Watch Series 8 models, a new Apple Watch SE, an Apple Watch Pro, and new AirPods Pro.

Related Roundups: iPhone 14, iPhone 15
Tag: Mark Gurman
Buyer's Guide: iPhone 15 (Don't Buy)
Related Forum: iPhone

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Top Rated Comments

lesnouu Avatar
lesnouu
26 months ago
meh, having an actual SIM is quite handy, especially when you have a lot of sims. Moreover, i feel like removable SIM is good for privacy reasons in specific regions of the world.
Score: 41 Votes (Like | Disagree)
JPack Avatar
JPack
26 months ago

How is a physical SIM better for privacy compared to an eSIM? You can turn off the eSIM line or use Airplane mode.
You can purchase pre-paid SIMs with cash and immediately get service. With eSIM, you need to provide either personal info or at minimum some kind of credit card.

Nothing beats physical SIM for privacy. This is probably one of the reasons why Apple is hesitant to remove it. But at the same time, Apple can't monetize physical SIMs the way they can with eSIM. Since Apple's implementation of eSIM is proprietary, they serve as a gatekeeper authorizing only certain carriers.
Score: 32 Votes (Like | Disagree)
5105973 Avatar
5105973
26 months ago
I’m not a fan of this. I like switching the sim of my secondary line between my Android phones and iPhones. The less I have to interact with my carrier in any way, the better for me and for them.
Score: 30 Votes (Like | Disagree)
sorgo † Avatar
sorgo †
26 months ago
I smell courage :)
Score: 22 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Derekuda Avatar
Derekuda
26 months ago
NOONE should want this. This just gives power back to the carriers who can then implement charging you a fee anytime you want to swap phones.
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Cromulent Avatar
Cromulent
26 months ago
Getting rid of the physical SIM card is a no-brainer. The only problem is that the carrier I just moved to does not support eSIM. If Apple pushed for eSIM only, it would make the industry take it much more seriously.
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
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