Will the latest iPhone kill off the Sim card?

Apple has once again sparked a major industry debate by launching the new iPhone Air with an eSIM-only design, eliminating the traditional physical SIM card tray. This move could mark the beginning of the end for the small plastic SIM cards that have been a staple in phones for decades. With an eSIM, users can switch networks or plans digitally without the need for physical removal or insertion, making the process faster and more convenient. Analysts suggest this shift signals the eventual disappearance of physical SIM trays, following Apple’s history of setting global trends that other smartphone makers, like Samsung and Google, often adopt.

That said, physical SIMs are not going away overnight. While the new iPhone 17 lineup will also adopt eSIM-only in some regions, Apple and other manufacturers are still keeping traditional SIM slots in most markets for now. Industry forecasts predict over 3 billion eSIM-enabled smartphones will be in use by 2030, making it clear that this technology is the future of mobile connectivity. For users, this means simpler activation, greater flexibility, and a world where the hassle of SIM ejector tools may soon be a thing of the past.

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