Apple wants to cut the iPhone's card slot?
Foreign media sources said that Apple plans to remove the SIM card tray component from the iPhone 15. The source said that the iPhone 15 Pro model released in 2023 will provide consumers with dual SIM support, but only two eSIM cards will be used.
So, what is an eSIM? In fact, eSIM card is a technical evolution of SIM. eSIM card, also known as embedded SIM card, simply means that the traditional SIM card is embedded directly into the device chip, rather than being added as a separate removable part to the device, and the user does not need to insert the physical SIM card as now.
After supporting eSIM, users can easily select the operator network and OTA over-the-air download method to dynamically write user contract information, which can realize user self-activation after product sales. Moreover, eSIM provides greater security by basing its security domain architecture and the introduction of PKI security infrastructure.
And after the cancellation of the SIM card slot, it will greatly improve the integration of the mobile phone. At the same time, it will also bring stronger waterproof performance to the mobile phone, and also save a lot of internal space for the mobile phone. For users, as well as mobile phone manufacturers, the promotion of eSIM actually has many benefits.
An anonymous source told MacRumors that Apple has suggested that major U.S. carriers prepare to launch eSIM-only smartphones by September 2022. The whistleblower shared a document outlining the time frame for the move, though the document did not specifically mention Apple or the iPhone.
As part of the transition, some U.S. carriers are said to begin offering some iPhone 13 models without nano-SIM cards in the second quarter of 2022. The iPhone 13 models sold on the Apple Store or Apple.com no longer have nano-SIM cards, and users can usually activate their phone plans via eSIM by turning on the iPhone, connecting to a Wi-Fi network, and following the on-screen instructions.
Given the so-called September 2022 deadline, it's possible for Apple to remove the physical SIM card slot starting with some iPhone 14 models, rather than some iPhone 15 models like originally rumored, but there's no confirmed news yet.
However, at present, the e-SIM service for smartphones has not been opened in some countries and has indeed not been launched. For example Chinese mainland it is true that several major mobile operators currently only open e-SIM services for devices such as smart watches. While e-SIM has been considered from a very early age as the next component of the phone's imminent cancellation, apple's approach would have been difficult to promote without carrier support.