Apple to remove one of key features in iPhone 17
Apple will remove the SIM card tray from the iPhone next year (Illustrative photo: Pexels)
Apple plans to remove the physical SIM card tray from iPhones in most countries next year, reports MacRumors, a website specializing in news, rumors, and information related to Apple products.
In the US, all iPhone models from 14 to 16 rely exclusively on digital eSIM technology, with no physical SIM card tray. Until now, Apple has not released iPhones without a tray outside of the US, but changes are expected to begin with the iPhone 17 lineup, which will be launched in September next year.
According to reports, all current prototypes of the iPhone 17 Air are without a SIM card tray. However, it remains unclear whether the device will be sold in China, as eSIM usage in smartphones has not yet been approved in the country. However, this situation could change.
When the iPhone 14 series was launched in 2022, Apple promoted eSIM as a safer alternative to physical SIMs, as eSIM cannot be removed from a lost or stolen device.
Additionally, iPhones can manage at least eight eSIMs simultaneously, eliminating the need to carry and switch physical SIM cards while traveling.
The iPhone 17 Air could turn out to be an unexpected disappointment.
