Why Apple Switched to eSIMs on the iPhone 14 

When they removed the aux port, I kind of understood that. But this ... their reasoning for this is just stupid. Not every country has esim capability so you'll be forced to use roaming which is pretty expensive! So yeah, it makes things "easy" but it also makes the carriers a lot of money. So this change is more for the carriers than for the customers.

"Giving customers more choice and flexibility" lol What?? They are literally limiting the ways you can get connected.

Anyone who travels internationally knows that physical Sim cards provide much more competitive pricing options related to roaming charges. Because of this, Apple is providing a less desirable and less flexible phone to the American market compared to the one it sells overseas.

Apple used the sim card space to add one of their greatest innovations ever: absolutely nothing (except plastic).

How is taking away something more flexible? Right now my iPhone can do both eSIM and NanoSIM. How is taking an option away more flexible?

I have always kept a secondary phone and I switch my Sim card regularly. When my iPhone XR died unexpectedly, all I had to do was put the Sim card in my backup phone and I was good to go until I replaced the XR with an iPhone 13. I had AT&T activate the physical Sim on that phone so I still have that flexibility. I hate the idea of losing that, and nobody has addressed how to switch your eSIM from one phone to another. I'll be keeping my iPhone 13 for the foreseeable future.

If that's the case we should be heading towards having all phones become carrier unlocked, also eSIM seem like it will be completely successful if global carriers support it and phones become network unlocked.... However you spin it the move may lead to the ease of other forms of misuse

It’s a mistake for Apple to only offer the iPhone 14 with eSIM for US customers. Just keep both physical SIM and eSIM options available like everywhere else they’re selling the iPhone.

"Multiple eSIMs" as long as the multiple you need is two. This really means that if you have more than two plans - say the US, somewhere in Europe, and a vacation plan somewhere else you'll have to set up new accounts each time you switch to the new plan or spend time on the phone with your local carrier to reactivate your old plan and number. I've got an iPhone 11 Pro - eSim + physical SIM, and it looks like I'll be hanging on to it until the next ice age. On the plus side, at least Apple offers dual-SIM phones in the US. EDIT: I just saw an update from Apple. The 14 supports only two *active* eSIMs but can hold up to eight total. This wasn't spelled out in the original tech specs but is there now...

Charge port is next to go.

Things Apple doesn't include for the sake of "flexibility:" 1. Expandable storage 2. Headphone jack 3. A USB-C port 4. And now, a SIM tray. Thank god for "progress" and "flexibility."

As one of the "Consumers" talked about on this video, I want a physical sim card/tray. I want a headphone jack. I use a Sony Xperia 1 IV which has both of these, and expandable storage. Thankfully there's one company that still listens to and looks after its customers. Keep up the excellent work Sony.

Deal Breaker . e_sim = No Thanks Apple you keep your iPhone 14

Some Redditors from other countries said iPhones always carried a premiums in their regions so in the past they would order them through a shipping forwarder in the US, but many of their countries dont have affordable plans that use ESIM or their carriers dont support them at all. By making US versions ESIM only many of them cant use imported iphones anymore. The iphone X had an ESIM as well as physical SIM so the narrative about giving them more choice by taking choice away is false. Its cheaper to use a prepaid kiosk SIM card compared to ESIMs on thier larger carriers. Apple did nothing with the extra space saved. So the notion they did it to free up space is false. If you break your screen, instead of popping the physical SIM out and into another device in less than two minutes youll be spending an hour on the phone with support or making a trip to a physical store. Its also a massive inconvenience for anyone who switches back and forth between Android and iPhone since youre forced to contact your carrier each time. Its all downsides for consumers. Apple must have sponsored this video because its BS.

I have a iPhone 13 pro max. I’m going to keep it until it doesn’t work anymore. Then I will get something else that has a physical eSIM and Sim tray this taking something away to give you more is a load of crap.

won’t need to think atleast for next 5 years because of 14 pro non USA model😅 physical is the best option for now.

Or in another words, they want to also capitalise on the fact that some users will choose eSIM device and then only providers/carriers with their apps in the store will be able to be supported, thus might mean extra $ skimmed off of the providers' cut for the AppStore service rendered... Regardless, eSIMs nowadays are being offered mostly in monthly charge plans, rarely can you find prepaid plans with eSIM support, thus the possible travel oriented explanation is presumably kind of false advertisement, as in such a case people tend to just get local provider prepaid offering SIM, not sign another contract for the temporary use-case... So while the idea of the eSIMs is a great one, the reality remains they're used mostly for recurring/subscription based model contracts, in some cases very specific contract (as in switching to eSIM requires a different plan than those offered by regular physical SIMs). Of course that's not Apple's fault, it's the carriers treating this option as a gimmick or secondary/tertiary option typically even oriented towards smartwatches usage, not smartphones...

the problem is not esim itself. the problem is the u.s. only models do not have a sim tray while international ones do. this is important for travelers going to places with carriers that do not yet support esim. also, some mnvos (services that work under att, tmobile or verizon networks) are still transitioning to support esim. the argument that there is more space for other electronics is invalid because the existing model had a void or empty space there and international versions of this phone do have a sim tray there. so, the u.s. is losing functionality, not adding more choices like that guy claims in the video.

what if the phone accidently breaks ? that's the big question ? or what about if someone wants to travel ( outside the US ) and that country doesn't support eSIM ?

Convenient though but isn't this more control for big companies and less control for the users? Isn't it just like the right to repair?

Sounds like an absolute nightmare if you run into issues with compatibility abroad. I will take a physical sim any day of the week!

Somehow Samsung will follow this in the future.

Good luck with T-Mobile activating esim. They are still stuck in 2007 when it comes to activation.

I'm using esim DB to compare which prepaid data plan are available when traveling, that's really handy.

🙋‍♂️Which regions is the iPhone 14 going to support dual sim cards? (Not 1 sim + 1 e-sim)

It’s not mentioned that the iPhone 14 esim model is only available the USA. International model still require a physical SIM card

Incremental changes to a portless phone in future. Making people getting used to lack of each port year by year. Magsafe to be standardized by eventually removing the charging port. I think that would be last port for the iPhone’s master plan of getting portless. The volume and power switches can be touch sensitive as in airpods pro 2

When are you bringing back the rotary phone?

Does this make it harder to switch from Iphone to Android? If so it seems like another way of locking you in to the Apple Echo System.

I don't want to have to call anyone to change my phone, they better not do it like that. Sprint used to be like that before they switch to sim cards. You had to call their customer service to add a new device.

Personally, I no longer trust Apple and their products. They generate too much drama in the news and it doesn't feel right with the moves they make. This new esim thing causes me to have suspension. Always remember, when companies do new things, many times, especially with Apple, there is something hidden they aren't mentioning.

This is just making me go with an iPhone 13 Pro instead of upgrading to the 14 Pro

My problem with esim if you break you phone when abroad you're screwed.

Apple did a Bad move by not giving the option to buy in the us a phone with physical sim or without it. I returned my iPhone 14pro as soon I got it. Going back to Samsung after so many years with apple.

Hilarious. Apple does nothing but think of new ways to empty people's pockets.

Did she say one of the downside if I lose my phone or break it, I will have to do a little more work to get another phone activated? Soooo that means it will be a hassle in a nice way. I wanted this phone so badly but I also love using my android. I was hoping to have a sim card for I can switch phones easily.

Moving forward, will we be having double e-sim?

The pain will be telco will have surcharges for you if you wanna transfer the esim to another phone. People like me whom toggle from iPhone to android phone will find these troublesome unless a particular esim no. Can be input onto two devices. Well got a feeling upcoming apple product will just removed the lightning port swap to USB c add in esim on U as well for international overseas set . US will be the test bed for total esim for their phone i guess. Or perhaps SE version will have sim card slots only upcoming iPhone 15 / Pro / Max no longer have physical sim. We shall see then.

I like the part where you say it gives more room for other components, when Apple just put a plastic cube instead... Also, in the rest of the world, the e-sim is not or little developed, so they cannot do it for the moment elsewhere

great video, answered my curiosity behind the move

This change should not be viewed as an exchange, as if we're getting rid of physical sim and getting esim. iphones already had esim and benefits of it. They are just removing the option a user can go for in a pinch.

Can you have more than one esim on a phone?

Hopefully the next iphone will go eSIM internationally as well . Being on a eSIM definitely provides a lot of flexibility , it’s definitely a challenge in Asia and Europe to get Prepaid eSIMs . They key is if Samsung and others also follow this . No phone carrier wants to make it easy for consumer to changes phone service . Specially in prepaid eSIMs makes it easy

How are people spinning this as ‘more choice’? My 12pm supports psim and esim. I’m more liable to get locked by my carrier with esim. I’m forced to download intrusive apps

I just got the iPhone 13 mini and activated the esim thru T-Mobile chat. Only took a few minutes and it works great!

And we're back to this conclusion again. By removing another one of the consumers' options, Apple is again championing for consumer choice. Thank you for being brave, Apple.

Apple removed the physical sim to reduce the bill of material costs. Next will be no physical charge connection (lighting or type C). I don't see any other reason why than that

I never thought about it if gets stolen they can't remove your SIM card. that's cool

Got my new iphone but guess what it is unusable at the moment due to esim activation issues. I’m actually thinking of returning it due to not having a physical sim.

I’ve traveled to so many countries and have yet to buy a SIM card. T-mobile gives me text and data roaming in so many places I’ve never needed to get a sim so the eSIM thing isn’t an issue for me

I big caveat for international use is that not all carriers support esim

Will there be a fee for connecting a new esim, how many can you have stored for local and a temp international. Removing sim from one phone & installing into a new phone does not require an activation fee and there are those that hot swap phones regularly.

Sim, take it out and put it into the new phone. eSIMs, download an app or some confusing process to navigate to enable your new phone with this eSIM. Yeah, I'm not sold, you keep it apple.

Less flexibility. More interaction with the carrier to move your service to another phone. Fine if you stick with one carrier one phone primarily. Will definitely discourage those who swap their service frequently to across multiple phones. Definitely NOT a consumer friendly move.

I'm happy for the change. Xfinity Mobile refused to do eSIM until the day before the announcement, when Apple forced them. Now, after the announcement, their store people don't want me to switch. I have to call Xfinity support & beg for the change. I currently have two phones and two carriers (one in France), and now I'll only need one phone. SIM cards were always a hassle. I remember moving from SIM to Micro SIM to Nano SIM.

Or I can just switch sim card when I travel out of the US in 5 seconds

I mean yeah it's practical but I'm noticing a trend. When apple takes away something they charge more. And people copy that. Very odd. But notice they(apple) copy to add.

My last 2 phones have had eSims and they have not been iPhones

Good work

There are countries that some people travel to, that don't provide esim support.

why don't you address the iOS 16/Battery drain???

i just received 14 pro max and and discovered there was no physical sim. its going to be hassle when traveling over seas.

Your being limited again by not having a Sim and only using esim instead, allowing the manufacturer to control what options you have on your device. First it was taking away the removable batters then the headphone jack along with expandable memory SD card and now the Sim. I don't like the manufacturer making choices for me, that is why I am still using my 5 year old phone, as it still does what I need a phone to do, text and make calls.

Only esim? This is another way for apple to keep you from switching carriers and fully lock your phone if you don’t pay it off and keeping you from going too another carrier

I am just wondering, if these phones have "e-sims" will they also be sim locked???? Cause I doubt that mobile carriers will be like "oh yes give us esim and allow customers to try other carriers while using our services"... the e-sim stuff sounds super fishy! if anything I think this is a burden on consumers who want to flip sims for whatever reason... under no circumstances am I trying to call customer service 😂

Same way we moved from 💿 to streaming !

I just wish they would have 2 models, one that supports eSim and the other with a physical SIM card tray. They shouldn’t just force people to switch to eSim because not everybody likes it. It’s just like buying a Digital only Console, they have two variants for those who want the Disk version as well.

As soon as the keynote ended, social pressure mounted upon my country’s two main carriers, so much, so that one of the carriers already announced eSim support starting on the first of October. We should thank Apple for that global mobilization.

Does this make it easier for the government to track us?

My personal number is esim in Australia but my work number is SIM card. It’d be a pain to organise with your employer to get an esim. They don’t care, for now anyway.

It’s not if other companies get rid of physical SIM cards , it’s when. Two years from now no phones will have actual SIM cards.

So what happens when one phone has an e-sim & the other one don't. How do I switch phones back & forth using the same # & info?

Love CNET ❤️

the argument of having more internal space is complete bs considering iFixit disassembled an iPhone 14 Pro and found Apple has replaced the SIM slot with a plastic filler 🤨 effectively not utilizing the extra space at all

So lets sum it up: An American company is providing an inferior version of its mobile phone hardware to its native market, while selling a more feature rich and flexible version overseas. Got it.

The wizard crashed while activating the e-sim on my new phone. Not a big deal but I did spend 20 mins in the phone with Verizon to fix it

Anyone who travels abroad often & on. Many countries service providers don't support e-sims. All previous models from Apple iPhone 11 onwards have physical Sim & eSim. It quite easy for a person who is abroad remove the US Sim & use Sim of that particular country. I have Apple Iphone 13 pro max US model I travel abroad often it quite useless for me to upgrade to IPhone 14. While traveling abroad one has to pay heavy roaming charges. Physical Sims are easily available on all major airports. Transferring eSims is lengthy process very few cell phone package providers support it in other countries.

Her presentation was PERFECTION. Congrats.

I absolutely hate esim i love the fact of having the option to switch my SIM card to another phone.

This will be great when travelling overseas!

Complete control of your privacy. In contrast, you don't own your device as they prevent users to repair theirs. Shame on you Apple.

ifixit did a recent teardown where they found that there is essentially empty space in the US iPhone 14. So the space is there and apple is just refusing to use it. They have the space there for non US phones

The only reason why I’ll not buy iphone 14 pro as I have to use one business physical sim card :(

I hope that Samsung Doesn't follow this!!

Why? Cost.

Just go to Canada and buy an iPhone there. They still have physical SIM card slot.

The problem with esim. Most countries don't support it. Also the countries that support it. They will ask for you to open a post paid account. Which means you have to show residency in that country. So. It BS that once you land that you can get an esim

This is fantastic will be very hard to steal an expensive phone I hope the Samsung s23 is e-sim

All companies will follow so get over it just like the headphone jack

cuz carriers keep charging for sims...

A regular nano-sim can do all these things also. Apple is using its market dominance to push the industry away from physical sims - which are much convenient when switching phones, especially to a different brand phone. Also people who have international nano-sims from other countries now cannot use the new iPhones. They are switching to android.

MAJOR FAIL to put an oddball 2012 port on a 2022 phone. NO INTEREST in any phone unable to use a regular USB-C cable.

a lot of people are not going to switch to the eSims. Because when you have to give up your entire phone and information. You are screwed

Apple should have replace the SIM card slot with a microSD slot

Apple is just removing the feature of physical sims, there's no new feature added here.

Next year: New Apple phone only has a screen and you have to have your hamster on a wheel to power it up. No battery. $3k.

All of these reasons to use an eSIM can apply to a phone that has a standard SIM card and an eSIM option. No need to get rid of the actual Sim card and force ONLY an eSIM down our throats. Just wait until carrier. Start charging 20 bucks to transfer your eSIM.

@ 2:33 you asked "..with ESIM is that going to be as simple as.." You did NOT answer your own question! My guess is that NO ONE at CNET knows the answer to that question and/or the answer is NO and the cellphone carriers and/or manufacturers know the answer will not be acceptable to many customers. I used to test cellphones and I've had that question since ESIM was first introduced. I've never received a satisfactory answer. 😞

Problem with big companies is that as they grow, they begin to lose touch with their target markets and start producing what consumers don’t want. Then a new kid will spring up and relegate them to history. Remember Nokia and Blackberry?

Apple can say convenience and security as much as they want but this is all about iOS lock in and making it more difficult to hop from iOS to Android. Also for international travel I can’t think of one way eSIM is easier than just popping in an international SIM lol.