Other After three years, I won't buy an iPhone 14 due to the SIM tray...

[lordhamster]

I also wonder...

Is this an agreement apple signed with the carriers to drive folks away from MVNO's? They do not have eSim, and likely wont, but this is a way to force iPhone customers to a network that supports eSim.

Personally, I am currently using a verizon physical SIM and a mobile eSim, so I am not against big carriers since I need fast unlimited data, but this creates a pretty big rift between the have's and have nots.

In a way, this seems quite anti-competetive.

Actually quite the opposite. Many MVNOs have been jumping on the eSim train specifically because they don't maintain storefronts and want to make onboarding customers easier and faster. If anything eSim is a boon to MVNOs.

The following are the US MVNOs I've used THIS year with eSim

• Mint Mobile
• US Mobile
• LOS Mobile (dude reselling AT&T business accounts)
• Google FI
• Visible

 

[AbSoluTc]

I had an eSIM when I traveled to Italy recently with my iPhone 13 Max Pro. Really seemless. And the price seemed cheaper to me (paid $13 for a 10GB plan via Airalo). Had great service. I didn't have a local calling number, just data, but didn't need a local phone line anyway. Physical SIM cards are great, but there are good eSIM providers now. Betcha they'll be even more now.

Doing the same thing in about 19 days! Very excited and going to be using my 14 Pro Max in Rome via Airalo. Were still able to use iMessage with your regular number but using the Mamma Mia data?

 

[sunking101]

You can bet your bottom dollar that Samsung and the rest of the industry follow suit.

 

[drjerryk]

eSIM is the future and Apple is accelerating it. I do agree that international travelers may want to skip this upgrade. By next year, prepaid eSIM should be widely available.

 

[max2]

You can bet your bottom dollar that Samsung and the rest of the industry follow suit.

Indeed.

 

[deeddawg]

You can bet your bottom dollar that Samsung and the rest of the industry follow suit.

Only after Samsung does a series of advertisements touting they still have SIM card trays...

... that then gets memory-holed when the next Galaxy is eSIM only...

 

[Diorama]

Perhaps someone can talk me off the cliff here


I pay about $50 US and get 40 gigs of data, then remove the card when I get back to the usa.

When did you last visit?

I just got back from PH and I got 30 days UnliData on Smart for 999pesos; it would have been 699 if I didn't mind being throttled at 1080p streaming speed.

I used like 800GB over the month too, so it was legit.

Luckily I'm getting a UK 14ProMax so I'll still have the sim tray, but yeah sucks to be getting the US model. Not sure if mmWave is worth the swap.

 

[aajeevlin]

It's right here and here. But don't worry, you're right too. But that's why specificity matters.

The people I was responding to were specifically asking about switching between iPhone and Android eSims. Thanks!!!

Alright guy, I totally screw up. While I was doing the new phone transfer I was on a work call, so it totally skipped my mine that I have to jump on T-mobile to do it that way. I can only confrim esim to esim on the iPhone is totally doable without calling T-mobile CS.

I apologize for the screw up, unfortunately I'm not going to attempt a transfer back as I would need to bother my friend about it (he is the primary account holder). I'm sure if one of you is buying the new iphone you can try it for yourself when you get it.

 

[NYCValkyrie]

Alright guy, I totally screw up. While I was doing the new phone transfer I was on a work call, so it totally skipped my mine that I have to jump on T-mobile to do it that way. I can only confrim esim to esim on the iPhone is totally doable without calling T-mobile CS.

I apologize for the screw up, unfortunately I'm not going to attempt a transfer back as I would need to bother my friend about it (he is the primary account holder). I'm sure if one of you is buying the new iphone you can try it for yourself when you get it.

The iPhone to iPhone was so easy though, right?

 

[soulreaver99]

There you go. Now stop whining

 

[aajeevlin]

The iPhone to iPhone was so easy though, right?

Yep, it was a single click and that was it.

 

[linkgx1]

I've experienced issues with esim activation before and that's one of my biggest concerns. I understand why they're going esim only, but it still sucks (for now).

 

[linkgx1]

For me, it's about control. I'm having flashbacks of the Sprint CDMA days. I've had issues with Visible's esim activation before and just hate that it's not standard everywhere. By having the power in the carrier's hands I can imagine several problems down the road.

 

[Septembersrain]

View attachment 2059401

There you go. Now stop whining

Dongles. More $$$

Edit: and packaging... Plastic.

 

[MrMojo1]

Just curious for all those wanting a physical SIM slot…

Is there some reason a second phone that has a SIM slot won't do for travel?

If I were to travel outside the States I'd be taking my iPhone 6s+. If it gets lost, stolen or damaged, I'm out a seven year old phone - not my primary phone.

Not everyone has a second phone, considering lots of people either sell the older phone or trade it in to afford a newer iPhone.

 

[eyoungren]

Not everyone has a second phone, considering lots of people either sell the older phone or trade it in to afford a newer iPhone.

Yeah, that's where I'm different. Since 2009, I've only traded in one phone and that was because I switched carriers after 16 years with the first one.

I've got a whole bunch of old Macs and devices and my kids have also picked up the habit so there's phones to go around.

 

[MrMojo1]

Since China doesn’t support esim, I’m curious if Chinese iPhone will be the last model that has physical sim in a few years. Or apple is forced to quit Chinese market.

China, including HK, doesn't allow eSim, as well as other countries in Europe and in Africa.
Apple won't dare go against China since it's the company's 2d largest market and has manufacturing facilities there. Apple pretty much obeys China's laws.
The issue then is that Apple will have PO'd a lot of mainland Chinese, being one, since many do or did travel to the U.S. and buy the American iPhones since it costs Less to buy in the U.S. but won't do anymore.
The mainland Chinese will have to buy the SIM card iPhones, elsewhere, like Canada.

 

[DotCom2]

Does AT&T make you call CS to transfer p-sim/e-sim to a new iPhone, or login to your account on the web or is it all done right on your phone?

 

[babyexercise]

Perhaps someone can talk me off the cliff here

I am not just posting this to be that person that says "THAT'S IT, I RAGE QUIT" so somehow virtue signal against what is popular.

I have family in the Philippines and when I travel, I immediately remove my SIM and put in one of the carriers there.

HECK, pre-covid they used to give you a sim ON THE PLANE for this purpose. Smart marketing for Globe (the carrier) for sure.

I pay about $50 US and get 40 gigs of data, then remove the card when I get back to the usa.

This is incredibly convenient because I can walk up to any vendor in the airport, shopping mall or street corner shop, immediately get service and then pop my own network sim back in when I am taxiing back on the runway in the USA.

Middle of nowhere and travel? Good freaking luck in getting a fancy eSIM in a developing nation.

I want the "dynamic island" and I want to have that new camera, but I also want to have the phone connecting without having to go through unnecessary steps.

Am I wrong in this?

edit - APPLE HAS A PAGE... Dedicated to carriers that use esim.
In my country case, both esim providers are POSTPAID.

Contract based. That sucks, and again will disqualify someone like me.

Basically this apply to everyone that would travel lol xd

 

[Fatus_Asticus]

I also wonder...

Is this an agreement apple signed with the carriers to drive folks away from MVNO's? They do not have eSim, and likely wont, but this is a way to force iPhone customers to a network that supports eSim.

Personally, I am currently using a verizon physical SIM and a mobile eSim, so I am not against big carriers since I need fast unlimited data, but this creates a pretty big rift between the have's and have nots.

In a way, this seems quite anti-competetive.

Mvno have esim

Usmobile
Visible
Cricket
Fi

It’s an issue intentionally but there are apps for that as well

 

[adammull]

Y’all are asking a bunch of questions before the phones even come out assuming Apple hasn’t thought about all of this.

If you have installed iOS 16. Go to settings, cellular, add e-sim. It looks to me they’ve redone this architecture from iOS 15. If you click learn more it takes you to the below link:

About eSIM on iPhone - Apple Support

Learn what an eSIM is, how to set up an eSIM on your iPhone, and how to transfer a physical SIM to an eSIM.

support.apple.com

 

[doxielover]

Perhaps someone can talk me off the cliff here

I am not just posting this to be that person that says "THAT'S IT, I RAGE QUIT" so somehow virtue signal against what is popular.

I have family in the Philippines and when I travel, I immediately remove my SIM and put in one of the carriers there.

HECK, pre-covid they used to give you a sim ON THE PLANE for this purpose. Smart marketing for Globe (the carrier) for sure.

I pay about $50 US and get 40 gigs of data, then remove the card when I get back to the usa.

This is incredibly convenient because I can walk up to any vendor in the airport, shopping mall or street corner shop, immediately get service and then pop my own network sim back in when I am taxiing back on the runway in the USA.

Middle of nowhere and travel? Good freaking luck in getting a fancy eSIM in a developing nation.

I want the "dynamic island" and I want to have that new camera, but I also want to have the phone connecting without having to go through unnecessary steps.

Am I wrong in this?

edit - APPLE HAS A PAGE... Dedicated to carriers that use esim.
In my country case, both esim providers are POSTPAID.

Contract based. That sucks, and again will disqualify someone like me.

I ordered it but I found out my carrier which is free service with CA lifeline doesn’t use esim only physical sim so I will be returning I’m not giving up my free unlimited service.

 

[doxielover]

Y’all are asking a bunch of questions before the phones even come out assuming Apple hasn’t thought about all of this.

If you have installed iOS 16. Go to settings, cellular, add e-sim. It looks to me they’ve redone this architecture from iOS 15. If you click learn more it takes you to the below link:

About eSIM on iPhone - Apple Support

Learn what an eSIM is, how to set up an eSIM on your iPhone, and how to transfer a physical SIM to an eSIM.

support.apple.com

Safelink doesn’t support esim I called CS they didn’t even know what it was.

 

[babyexercise]

Of course Apple knows what they are doing. Apple always has "deals" with main carriers in US. If you are forced to use esim, then when you go travel you cannot buy cheap Sim card for travel only, you can only use whatever expensive travel plan in the esim with the carrier.

 

[Shirasaki]

China, including HK, doesn't allow eSim, as well as other countries in Europe and in Africa.
Apple won't dare go against China since it's the company's 2d largest market and has manufacturing facilities there. Apple pretty much obeys China's laws.
The issue then is that Apple will have PO'd a lot of mainland Chinese, being one, since many do or did travel to the U.S. and buy the American iPhones since it costs Less to buy in the U.S. but won't do anymore.
The mainland Chinese will have to buy the SIM card iPhones, elsewhere, like Canada.

Canada would not have too much trouble integrating their domestic market into full eSIM, leaving only a handful of countries and china to refuse to support eSIM. It’s interesting to see how this eSIM adoption pans out.