Apple’s radical intentions are defused

Does Apple really want to introduce the iPhone 14 without a SIM card slot? Sounds pretty wacky and radical. This could happen as early as autumn – or should we rather speak of a fear? – but become reality. The intentions are currently becoming more concrete, what is the manufacturer really up to?

Every iPhone still has a real SIM card slot, although Apple cell phones have also had a so-called eSIM since autumn 2018. The latter is firmly integrated and, in theory, allows you to quickly switch contracts without having to exchange a physical SIM card, just like that… online and basically only via iOS. Then a month ago a hot rumor: Apple wants to offer at least one model of the iPhone 14 exclusively with eSIM, without being able to use a normal SIM card.

iPhone 14 without classic SIM: All clear, only one option

Now the plan is becoming more concrete and the all-clear is sounded. That’s how it should be such a model of the iPhone 14 alone is optional and only available through the company’s own shops or directly from the providers being. From there, every “normal” iPhone 14 will still be able to hold a real SIM card – so it will remain as it is now (source: Emma Mohr-McClune via MacRumors).

Speaking of which, there are good reasons to cancel your own mobile phone contract:

So Apple’s plan is less radical than feared. The reason for this is also obvious: Even if more than 100 mobile phone providers worldwide already offer eSIM solutions, there are still a lot of providers who just don’t do this. Their contracts and SIM cards would then not be available for the iPhone 14, which would be quite absurd. So it won’t be that bad, so if you want to, you will be able to use your usual nano-format SIM card in the future. The advantage: If you need another mobile phone for a short time, you can simply remove the SIM card from the iPhone. With eSIM, this is not directly possible, so you need a multi-SIM, which usually costs extra.

Apple’s extra sausage for the Middle Kingdom

Ultimately, Apple will continue to be guided by market events in the future. Worth knowing: For this reason, Apple has been offering “real” dual SIM cell phones in China, Hong Kong and Macau for years. Means: The iPhone can use two normal nano-SIMs there, so it is a classic dual-SIM mobile phone without eSIM. One can assume that this strategy will be continued with the iPhone 14 in autumn.