Should you’re shopping for a brand new iPhone 16 mannequin within the US, it will come with out a SIM card tray, and you may want to change to an eSIM – as is the brand new Apple norm. However when you’re selecting one up anyplace else, you may nonetheless get a tool with the tray.
Ever for the reason that iPhone 14, Apple has been nudging the US towards a SIM-free existence. The most recent finest iPhone would not include a SIM card tray, however that is not the case anyplace else. In reality, the US iPhone 16 fashions have completely different mannequin numbers, indicating that they are the odd ones out. It nonetheless appears bizarre, as eSIMs are used everywhere in the world. I have been utilizing an eSIM since 2020 within the UK, even on gadgets with a SIM card tray.
However the SIM card tray is not the one distinction to US and non-US iPhone 16s. All iPhone 16 fashions exterior of the US lack assist for 5G mmWave. This tech guarantees blistering obtain speeds, however provided that you are standing on high of a 5G tower in the course of an open area. 5G mmWave has been a combined bag, so this is not a selected loss for anybody. However, it nonetheless appears odd for Apple to proceed to solely add it to US iPhone fashions.
eSIMs are nonetheless supported
Whereas it sounds inconvenient at face worth, eradicating the SIM card tray and switching to eSIM can truly be extremely helpful to iPhone customers. Notably, you need to use as much as eight eSIMs in your gadget, so you’ll be able to have a number of numbers and networks assist on one gadget. That is notably helpful when you journey regularly to completely different nations, or you’re Walter White. You’ll be able to swap your quantity and community with out eradicating your SIM card, and gone are the times of dropping that pesky SIM pin it’s essential pop the tray open.
Eradicating the SIM card tray additionally makes manufacturing the iPhone simpler for Apple, saving money and time, and it is one much less port for water and mud ingress, conserving your iPhone’s internals safer and sounder.
Fortuitously, you’ll be able to nonetheless use eSIMs on any latest iPhone mannequin with a SIM tray. So, you have received the choice to go totally digital if you want.