Apple is making iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro models e-SIM only in these countries
Apple is continuing its shift away from physical SIM cards, making the new iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max eSIM-only in a wider range of countries. This marks a significant change for consumers in these regions, who will now rely entirely on digital SIM cards. It is to be noted that the newly announced ultra-thin iPhone Air, however, will be an eSIM-only model worldwide, including in China.
According to Apple, the following countries and regions will receive eSIM-only versions of the new iPhones:
This is an expansion from the iPhone 14, which was the first series to go eSIM-only, but only in the US.
The company states that by removing the physical SIM card tray, the new iPhone models have a larger battery to fill the freed-up space.
While these regions will not have a physical SIM card tray, iPhones sold in other parts of the world, including India, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and South Korea, will still have a nano-SIM card tray alongside eSIM support. In China, the devices will support nano-SIM cards only.
Apple has promoted eSIMs as being more secure than physical SIM cards, as they cannot be removed from a lost or stolen iPhone. Additionally, iPhones with eSIM capabilities can manage at least eight eSIMs.
iPhone price crosses Rs 2 lakh threshold
Apple’s newly-launched iPhone 17 series has also set a new price record in India, with the top-end 2TB variant of the iPhone 17 Pro Max priced at Rs 2,29,900. This makes it the first iPhone to exceed the Rs 2 lakh price point in the country.
The new pricing represents a significant increase compared to previous models. The iPhone 17 series features several new capabilities, including a redesigned body, an advanced camera system, and the new A19 Pro chip.
According to Apple, the following countries and regions will receive eSIM-only versions of the new iPhones:
- Bahrain
- Canada
- Guam
- Japan
- Kuwait
- Mexico
- Oman
- Qatar
- Saudi Arabia
- United Arab Emirates (UAE)
- United States
- US Virgin Islands
This is an expansion from the iPhone 14, which was the first series to go eSIM-only, but only in the US.
The company states that by removing the physical SIM card tray, the new iPhone models have a larger battery to fill the freed-up space.
While these regions will not have a physical SIM card tray, iPhones sold in other parts of the world, including India, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and South Korea, will still have a nano-SIM card tray alongside eSIM support. In China, the devices will support nano-SIM cards only.
Apple has promoted eSIMs as being more secure than physical SIM cards, as they cannot be removed from a lost or stolen iPhone. Additionally, iPhones with eSIM capabilities can manage at least eight eSIMs.
iPhone price crosses Rs 2 lakh threshold
Apple’s newly-launched iPhone 17 series has also set a new price record in India, with the top-end 2TB variant of the iPhone 17 Pro Max priced at Rs 2,29,900. This makes it the first iPhone to exceed the Rs 2 lakh price point in the country.
The new pricing represents a significant increase compared to previous models. The iPhone 17 series features several new capabilities, including a redesigned body, an advanced camera system, and the new A19 Pro chip.
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