Apple is removing the physical SIM card slot from the iPhone 14 in favor of eSIM for all US customers, which might create some inconvenience in the short term but is ultimately a good move.
eSIM is a digital version of the SIM card embedded inside the phone, deemed more secure and easier to connect, and allows for multiple lines on a single phone. This might be a problem for customers who want to use a different carrier at home and abroad, but it will be a more secure and user-friendly option in the long run. Here’s what you need to know about eSIMs and Apple’s latest tech move.
The switch to eSIM will mean users can no longer physically swap out their SIM cards to change carriers. Instead, they will need to rely on their carrier’s QR, app, or website to activate the eSIM. This could be a problem for international travelers who want to use a local SIM card in each country, but it will ultimately be more secure and user-friendly with the eSIM alternative.
The change to eSIM will not drastically change how you use your iPhone, but it may make it more difficult to change carriers. If you are on a carrier that does not support eSIM, you will not be able to use your iPhone. Currently, some mobile phone networks in some countries still need a physical SIM card. The choices are often limited in countries where you can get an eSIM.
In theory, eSIM could make the wireless business more competitive by making it easier for users to switch carriers. This could create a new market where users could shop for different service providers even from new non-carriers. Although eSIM makes it easier to switch carriers, wireless carriers often offer subsidies on new iPhones in exchange for long-term payment plans. This makes it difficult to switch carriers without losing the subsidy, but this is becoming less common as most countries started banning phone locking.
eSIM is more secure than the physical SIM card because it can’t be removed from the phone (e.g. swapped for SIM cloning and identity theft). Although this isn’t the most common form of SIM card hijacking, it’s still possible for someone with physical access to the phone to do it. Switching to a new cell phone carrier is easier than it used to be because you don’t have to go to a store to pick a SIM card or to wait for it to arrive in by mail.
You can add extra lines easily without needing a phone with two SIM card trays. On the iPhone, Apple supports having two phone numbers and eight data lines with eSIM. eSIMs are beneficial for phone makers and wireless carriers. For phone makers, eliminating the SIM tray means using that space for other technology. For carriers, eSIMs will eventually be less expensive to distribute than physical SIM cards.
The iPhone 14 is phasing out sim card slots because Apple wants to move toward a more expansive ecosystem. This will allow them greater control over the iPhone experience. While this may be frustrating for some users, Apple will likely continue this trend in the future, and eventually all phone makers started to follow.
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