Apple considering removing the physical SIM card tray from some iPhone 14 models

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Shubham Sawarkar is a technology journalist at GadgetBond, covering Apple, AI, consumer technology, software, gadgets, and product launches. His work explores emerging technologies, industry developments, product...

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Sep 5, 2022, 1:44 PM EDT

According to Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman, Apple has privately thought about the possibility of launching some iPhone models without a SIM card slot by the end of the year. In his latest Power On newsletter, Gurman stated the transition will be part of Apple‘s push toward eSIMs.

Despite the chance that the change won’t occur until the iPhone 15 next year, Gurman suggested that some iPhone 14 models, which Apple is scheduled to introduce in just two days, may lose the SIM card slot.

“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,” according to Gurman‘s Power On newsletter. “In fact, Apple has considered removing the physical SIM card slot altogether beginning either this year or next for some models.”

Users can activate a cellular plan using an eSIM, or digital SIM, instead of a physical nano-SIM card. Some iPhone models with a SIM card slot may continue to be available for at least a few years during the transition, however, eSIM availability is constantly growing, but technology is still not available in all countries.

Customers can usually activate a cellular plan via eSIM by turning on the iPhone, connecting to a Wi-Fi network, and following the on-screen instructions. Nano-SIM cards are already missing from iPhone 13 models sold at Apple Stores and on Apple.com. However, iPhone 13 models allow several eSIM profiles, allowing users to digitally sign up for a wide range of cellular plans and swap between them, which is practical for traveling.

The removal of the SIM card slot could help the iPhone’s water resistance even more and possibly free up a tiny bit of interior space.

Okay, the wait is almost over. We’re just two days away from Apple’s biggest event of the year which happening on Sept. 7th, 2022 at 10:00 am PT/1:00 pm ET/10:30 pm IST from Steve Jobs Theater. We’ll be expecting Apple to unveil iPhone 14 series, Apple Watch Series 8 (including SE and Pro version) as well as next-generation AirPods Pro.