Oliver Haslam·

Apple Could Ditch The Physical SIM Card As Soon As iPhone 14 As eSIM Popularity Increases

Apple could be ready to leave the traditional SIM card behind, moving to the eSIM option that is currently offered as an option.

The move could happen as soon as this year, with the Wall Street Journal reporting that the company could offer an eSIM variant of its upcoming iPhone 14 later this year.

The report notes that some Android phones already ditched their physical SIM card tray, and while Apple could go the same route, it believes that it will instead choose to offer a physical SIM option as the main one, with an eSIM-only iPhone available for those who want it.

It also suggests that some carriers may choose whether to offer the special version or not. It seems likely that Apple would offer both options via its own store, too.

We don’t believe that Apple will take the ‘big bang’ approach – getting rid of existing systems and transferring all users to eSIMs – but rather launch an eSIM-only variant of its upcoming new model – retaining the dual eSIM-plus-physical SIM slot model for the mass market and its key carrier channel.

To that end, we believe telecom companies will be given the choice of whether to stock and sell a new eSIM-only iPhone variation alongside more cellular business-friendly dual eSIM/physical SIM support models.

The benefit of an eSIM is obvious — it allows people to quickly and easily switch carriers without waiting for a piece of plastic to arrive in the mail. It also allows Apple to remove one moving part from its designs, potentially making space internally for things like larger batteries.

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