If you’re buying the new iPhone 16 model in the US, it will come without a SIM card slot and you’ll need to upgrade to an eSIM – as Apple’s new standard. But if you pick one up anywhere else, you’ll still get a device with a magazine.
Since the iPhone 14, Apple has been pushing the US to go SIM-free. The latest and greatest iPhone doesn’t come with a SIM tray, but that’s not the case anywhere else. In fact, the US iPhone 16 models have different model numbers, suggesting that they are odd models. It still seems strange because eSIMs are used all over the world. I’ve been using eSIM in the UK since 2020, even on devices with a SIM tray.
However, the SIM card slot is not the only difference between US and non-US iPhone 16. All non-US iPhone 16 models lack 5G mmWave support. The technology promises lightning-fast download speeds, but only if you’re standing on top of a 5G tower in the middle of an open field. 5G mmWave has been a mixed bag, so it’s not a particular loss for anyone. However, it still seems strange that Apple continues to only add to US iPhone models.
eSIMs are still supported
While this sounds inconvenient at face value, removing the SIM card tray and switching to an eSIM can actually be very beneficial for iPhone users. You can use up to eight eSIMs on your device, so you can support multiple numbers and networks on one device. This is especially useful if you frequently travel to different countries or are Walter White. You can change your number and network without removing the SIM card, and gone are the days of losing that pesky SIM pin that you need to open the tray.
Removing the SIM card tray also makes the iPhone easier for Apple to manufacture, saves time and money, and has one less port for water and dust to enter, making the insides of your iPhone safer and quieter.
Fortunately, you can still use an eSIM on any recent iPhone model with a SIM tray. So you have the option to go fully digital if you wish.