Swapping SIM Cards Won’t Upgrade to iPhone 14

You may be considering upgrading to the iPhone 14 now that it has been launched. I’m sorry to break it to you, but it won’t be as simple as removing your current phone’s SIM card and inserting it into your new phone.

Apple said at Wednesday’s “Far Out” presentation that it is completely adopting virtual embedded SIM cards, or eSIMs, as the default, a development that has been in the works for years. As a result, there will be no actual SIM card tray on US versions.

The Virtual SIM Card Era Has Begun

With eSIMs, you may continue to use your phone on a carrier’s 4G LTE or 5G networks in the same manner you have in the past. Apple has enabled eSIMs on iPhones since the iPhone XS, XS Max, and XR in 2018, while the technology has long been supported on its current cellular iPads and Apple Watches. Last year’s iPhone 13 series even supported several eSIMs at the same time, which was beneficial for users who wanted a business number and a personal number on the same handset.

By accepting eSIMs, Apple and other manufacturers may begin to phase out the conventional SIM card slot, freeing up space on future devices for extra capabilities such as revamped move to iOS capabilities. AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon all accept eSIM, as do a handful of smaller or prepaid carriers such as Mint Mobile, Google Fi, and Verizon-owned Visible.

While the fundamental experience should remain same, there may be a few significant advantages to not having to get an actual SIM card from a provider. If a network introduces a new function, the operator may simply send an update to the phone, while in the past, you might have had to acquire a new SIM card.

Upgrading from 4G to 5G devices, for example, need a new SIM card from certain carriers in order to connect to the new networks. When purchasing a phone from a carrier or via a carrier installment plan, the new SIM card is normally included, so this isn’t a big deal. If you bought unlocked from Apple, you may have required to purchase a new SIM card.

Using eSIMs may also make it easier for consumers to research and switch cellular providers. T-Mobile and Verizon’s Visible have been deploying eSIMs to let customers to test their respective networks on their current cellphones. Another testament to how fast tech is advancing. Looking forward to what’s next in store.