Apple's New Cellular iPad Air and iPad Pro Models Are eSIM Only

Apple at its "Let Loose" event today announced new iPad Pro and iPad Air models, and there are smaller changes compared to the previous generation devices that did not get mentioned during the event but are worth knowing about.

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One of the differences worth noting is the lack of a physical SIM card slot. On the previous generation models, the cellular versions of both the ‌iPad Air‌ and the ‌iPad Pro‌ included a physical SIM card slot. In the new devices, that's no longer the case. All cellular models now support eSIM only.

It's a small but crucial detail for anyone looking to upgrade their iPad while sticking with their current cellular plan. Apple has not divulged the reason why it chose to remove the physical SIM slot, but it could have been a design decision related to making the devices slimmer, or a necessity to keep them slim, given all of the devices' hardware upgrades.

Either way, the change brings parity to Apple's latest ‌iPad‌ models and its iPhone, which dropped the physical SIM slot in 2022 with the launch of the ‌iPhone‌ 14.

Related Roundups: iPad Air , iPad Pro
Related Forum: iPad

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Top Rated Comments

q64ceo Avatar
18 months ago
I still prefer a physical SIM myself. Pretty easy to pop them out and put them into a new device. I know I probably sound like an old man with my comforting old technology, but there are things which are perfect as they are.
Score: 28 Votes (Like | Disagree)
RevTEG Avatar
18 months ago
I know it’s the future but I absolutely hate this. I work in countries that require contracts to use e-SIM. I do not want to pay for two year contracts when myself/employees are only in country a few weeks at a time. A local sim requires no contract.
Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)
podycust Avatar
18 months ago
Is this just us only? As in the uk iPhones still have a physical SIM card
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
dsusanj Avatar
18 months ago

Have you ever heard of Airalo?
Airalo is about three to five times more expensive than a local SIM with a data plan in most countries here in Europe.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Porco Avatar
18 months ago
Another removal of choice that benefits no user, only corporations.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
LedRush Avatar
18 months ago
So WiFi version it is. I guess I get to save money.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)