With the upcoming iPhone 17 series, Apple is preparing to eliminate the classic physical SIM card in significantly more countries. Instead, the company will rely exclusively on the eSIM.
According to reports, Apple Authorized Resellers in the EU have been instructed to complete mandatory eSIM trainingvia Apple’s SEED (Sales Enablement, Education, and Development) app by September 5. This training requirement strongly suggests that the iPhone 17 launch event on September 9 will confirm a broader transition to eSIM-only devices.
eSIM Adoption in the United States
In the United States, eSIM-only iPhones have been the norm since the iPhone 14. Apple first introduced eSIM support in 2018 with the iPhone XS, XS Max, and XR.
While U.S. users have already adjusted to eSIM technology, the European Union and other regions have continued to offer physical nano-SIM cards up to the iPhone 16 generation.
Apple devices currently support dual SIM setups, including multiple eSIMs, and in some regions (like China), models still allow two physical SIM cards.
iPhone 17 Air: The First EU eSIM-Only Model?
Industry insiders and rumor reports, including those from The Information and analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, suggest that the iPhone 17 Air—a particularly thin model in the lineup—will ship as an eSIM-only smartphone in the EU.
Some sources, like MacRumors, go further, speculating that the entire iPhone 17 lineup may drop the physical SIM tray in Europe. If true, this would mark a major global milestone in Apple’s push toward a fully digital connectivity ecosystem.
From eSIM to iSIM: The Next Step
The eSIM (embedded SIM) is a microchip soldered directly into the smartphone’s hardware, capable of storing multiple carrier profiles. Unlike a physical SIM card, it eliminates the need for a removable SIM tray, saving space and simplifying design.
Looking ahead, Apple may embrace the iSIM (integrated SIM)—a technology where SIM functionality is built directly into the smartphone’s system-on-a-chip (SoC). This would remove the need for a dedicated chip altogether, paving the way for even slimmer and more efficient device designs.
What This Means for Users
- Greater convenience: No need to physically swap SIM cards when changing carriers.
- Improved durability: Fewer entry points in the device, which helps with water and dust resistance.
- More space efficiency: Room for other components or thinner designs like the rumored iPhone 17 Air.
- Transition challenge: Users in regions where eSIM adoption is slower may face an adjustment period.
The iPhone 17 generation is set to accelerate Apple’s global eSIM-only strategy, signaling the beginning of the end for the physical SIM card. With the iPhone 17 Air leading the way in Europe and the entire U.S. lineup already on board, Apple’s next step could be a shift toward iSIM technology, making SIM cards completely virtual.
