Apple to scrap sim cards in future, expert suggests

With the release of the new iPhone 16, which is now the 3rd consecutive iPhone to be eSIM-only in the US, eSIM expert and COO at Nomad eSIM, Eric Morhenn shares some insights about the future of SIM cards

Apple’s decision to produce and sell only eSIM-compatible iPhones for the US market is another step towards a wider global strategy. Their vision is to move away from physical SIM cards completely within the next few product cycles.

We can expect Apple to make the same move – starting as early as the iPhone 17 or 18 – in international markets like Europe, Japan, and Singapore, where the digital infrastructure is strong. Alongside Apple, it is likely that one of the major Android providers, such as Samsung, will follow a similar trajectory and also transition to eSIM-only in the near future.

Apple will likely continue to monitor global market readiness and gradually introduce eSIM-only devices in emerging markets once carriers and regulators adapt to the technology.

This shift has already been applied to the 2024 iPads – which are now eSIM only worldwide – and is likely to expand to other devices, with Apple Watch and even MacBooks using eSIM functionality as the norm, which then will end up creating a fully connected ecosystem.

This upgrade makes it easier to switch phone carriers and use global roaming by partnering with telecom companies. This could make managing your network as easy as choosing Wi-Fi.

Such changes align with Apple’s goals of improving user experience, privacy, and being eco-friendly. It will cut down on physical parts and improve digital security. Removing the physical SIM tray improves the water-tight integrity and saves space and weight in an iPhone. The complete transition to eSIM globally is not a question of “if” but “when”, and Apple is taking the lead in this change.

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