Fri, 12 Sep 2025

Fri, 12 Sep 2025 Will the latest iPhone kill off the Sim card?

The iPhone Air will only have an eSim - will other phone makers also shift away from the familiar - but fiddly - plastic cards?
Apple's new iPhone Air, launched this week, marks a significant shift towards eSims (electronic Subscriber Identity Modules) over traditional physical Sim cards. This move is expected to be followed by other phone manufacturers as the industry transitions away from physical Sims. The eSim technology allows users to switch between networks and plans without physically inserting or removing a Sim card tray. Analysts believe that Apple's announcement signals the beginning of the end of traditional physical SIm cards, with CCS Insight forecasting that 3.1 billion smartphones will use eSims by 2030. Experts say moving to eSims has several benefits, including:
* Saving space in phones for larger batteries
* Reducing environmental impact from plastic Sim card waste
* Providing users with more flexibility and options when traveling abroad However, some experts also note that the transition may not be smooth, particularly for older demographics or those less familiar with technology. They emphasize the need for education and support to help users adapt to eSims. Other major manufacturers, such as Samsung and Google, are also gradually adopting eSim technology while still maintaining physical Sim card slots in most countries.
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