Apple is reportedly considering removing the physical SIM card tray from iPhones in more countries next year, The Information reports. This move is expected to be implemented in the upcoming “iPhone 17 Air,” a rumored ultra-thin iPhone model. While specific countries have not been named, this change could potentially affect a wider range of iPhone models and markets.
Joe Rossignol for MacRumors:
In the U.S., all iPhone 14 through iPhone 16 models do not have a SIM card tray, and instead rely entirely on digital eSIM technology. Apple has yet to release any iPhones without a SIM card tray outside of the U.S., but it sounds like the change will finally expand internationally starting with the iPhone 17 lineup next September.
Indeed, the report said that all current “iPhone 17 Air” prototypes lack a SIM card tray. The report said it is unclear if the device will be sold in China as a result, since the country has not approved the use of eSIMs in smartphones. Of course, that could change.
MacDailyNews Take: eSIMs are just better than physical SIM cards in every way.
Apple’s list of wireless carriers and worldwide service providers that offer eSIM service is here.
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Aren’t eSIM’s less secure than physical SIM cards? That is, aren’t they more at risk of SIM swapping? Let’s suppose somebody wants to steal your phone number so that they can get 2-factor authentication codes from your bank. With an eSIM, all they have to do is call your cell phone company; convince them that they are you and that you got a new smartphone; then the cell phone company will activate the eSIM on the fraudster’s device. That’s it. Your phone number has been stolen. On the other hand, with a physical SIM card, the fraudster would either have to go to your cell phone company in person and attempt to prove that he is you by showing your ID with his picture on it or he could call and request that the replacement physical SIM card be mailed to your billing address of record. Doesn’t that make a physical SIM card more secure from the risk of SIM swapping?
What would that get someone, a few minutes of free voice calls?
Bill McFadden, I very clearly said that it would get the other person access to 2-factor authentication codes from your bank. So I don’t know why you’re asking me what it would get them since I already said what it would get them in my original post. But I think that by your acknowledging that it would get someone a few minutes of free voice calls, that you agree with me that eSIM’s are less secure than physical SIMs.
Regarding eSIMs I’ve read
“With eSIM, all they (the person who wants to defraud) have to do is call your cell phone company; convince them that they are you and that you got a new smartphone; then the cell phone compnay will activate the eSIM on the fraudser’s device. That’s it.”
I’m not so sure the cell phone company’s are so gullible. Their operations should protect against such fraud, shouldn’t they? I mean, really. So, are eSIM’s a good idea?