Apple’s newest iPhone Air has sparked questions about the future of the traditional Sim card. The iPhone Air will operate exclusively with an eSim, a digital alternative to the small plastic cards that users normally insert into their phones to connect to mobile networks.
The eSim allows users to switch networks or plans without handling a physical Sim card tray. Analyst Kester Mann from CCS Insight told news outlets that Apple’s announcement “marks the beginning of the end of the physical Sim card.”
Sim stands for Subscriber Identity Module. It is a small chip that enables phones to connect to mobile networks, handle calls and texts, and use mobile data. In recent years, eSims have become an option on newer devices, allowing users to choose between physical and digital cards.
On Tuesday, Apple announced that the iPhone Air, the newest and thinnest addition to its lineup, will feature an eSim-only design. This is the first time an eSim-only iPhone will be available globally. Customers in the US have had access to eSim-only iPhones since 2022.
However, Apple is not abandoning physical Sim cards entirely. Other new iPhones, including the 17, 17 Pro, and 17 Pro Max, will be eSim-only in some markets, but most countries will still include physical Sim slots. Other major manufacturers, such as Samsung and Google, also offer eSims while retaining physical cards in most regions.
Experts say the trend is clear. CCS Insight forecasts that 1.3 billion smartphones with eSims were in use by the end of 2024, and this is expected to rise to 3.1 billion by 2030. Paolo Pescatore, technology analyst at PP Foresight, said, “In time, expect the Sim tray to disappear altogether.”
The eSim offers multiple benefits. It frees up internal phone space for larger batteries, reduces plastic waste, and provides easier access to mobile providers when traveling abroad, reducing the risk of unexpected bills. Kester Mann noted that eSims will gradually change how users interact with mobile networks, reducing the need for store visits.
However, some users, particularly older individuals or those less confident with technology, may need support to adapt to the change. “The industry needs to work hard to explain how to use eSims,” Mann said.
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