Apple has already taken the plunge in the US, but the end of the physical SIM card slot is now rapidly approaching in Europe as well. presented last year Apple has a wafer-thin iPhone Air that does not fit a SIM card and that is a clear omen.
It is simply a matter of time before the standard models in the Netherlands no longer have a SIM card. The future is completely based on the eSIM. An eSIM works a lot easier than a physical SIM card.
How does an iPhone work without a SIM card?
An iPhone without a SIM card works with an eSIM. If you don’t know what an eSIM is yet, don’t worry. It is actually quite simple. An eSIM simply means electronic SIM card.
You install an eSIM via an app and it has the same functions as a regular SIM card. But it doesn’t stop there – good eSIM providers also offer additional security features. You can simply download the app on your phone and install it directly, without the hassle of a physical SIM card.
That is not only useful for you, but also for Apple. Without a SIM card slot, space is freed up for, for example, a larger battery or extra sensors, and the device becomes more resistant to water and dust. In the US, the iPhone 15, 16 and 17 already work completely without a SIM card slot, and Apple is expected to continue that trend with the next major release worldwide.
Benefits for the user
Although it takes some getting used to, a device without a physical card offers more convenience than you think. You can load multiple subscriptions on your iPhone at the same time. This way you use one profile for your regular subscription and you can set up a second profile for work.
Moreover, it is a lot safer. If your iPhone is stolen, a thief won’t be able to remove the SIM card to disconnect your connection or use your phone number on another device. The eSIM remains linked to your iCloud account, which makes it much more difficult for criminals to misuse your data.
The growing pains of an eSIM
This also means the end of the trusted backup telephone. Where you used to put your SIM card in an old device for a weekend in the Lowlands or a day at the beach, with an eSIM-only model you are completely dependent on your most expensive hardware.
Because most older devices do not support eSIM functionality, you can no longer transfer your number to a backup within thirty seconds. This forces you to take your iPhone worth more than a thousand euros to places where the risk of damage or theft is high. Eventually this problem will solve itself because cheap phones will also have that option, but this may take a while.
Apple products are popular with thieves anyway. But luckily the ‘Find my iPhone’ function works very well. There are regular news reports about it thieves being arrested because users can easily track them through Apple’s system.
Switch to an eSIM before you travel
You don’t have to wait for the first eSIM-only iPhone in the Netherlands to use eSIM. Especially for traveling outside the EU, it is already a smart choice to have a digital one eSIM card to use for data. Otherwise, you could quickly spend hundreds of euros in roaming costs, or have to rely on slow and unsafe public Wi-Fi. An eSIM is therefore often not only easier, but also cheaper than traditional options.
What does the future bring?
The transition to a world with an eSIM-only option in our phones is irreversible. With Apple setting the tone, other manufacturers such as Samsung and Google will likely follow. In the future, physical SIM cards will likely feel just as nostalgic as the 3.5mm headphone jack.
Providers in the Netherlands are largely ready for this, but it is wise to check now whether your current provider supports the transition smoothly. For the modern Apple user, the message is clear: start using an eSIM.