The iPhone 17 is coming, but must miss a commonly used feature according to the latest rumors. This part disappears at the iPhone 17.
iPhone 17 Mist Feature
It is September, so that means that Apple will present the new iPhones soon. This year the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Air, iPhone 17 Pro and the iPhone 17 Pro Max are planned. All iPhones are provided with new functions and important improvements, but that is not the only change. According to the latest rumors, a commonly used feature disappears precisely with all iPhone 17 models.
The new iPhones are reportedly no longer supported for a physical SIM card. Instead, all iPhone 17 models only work with e-SIM. That is a big change, because at the moment all iPhones do have an opening for a physical SIM card. That feature disappears with the iPhone 17, so you have to request a digital SIM card from your provider to gain access to the mobile network.
Physical SIM card disappears
In the United States, iPhones have long been limited to digital SIM cards. There the opening for the physical SIM card already disappeared at the iPhone 14 series. The iPhone 15 and iPhone 16 also work only with e-SIM in the United States. With the iPhone 17, the feature disappears in more countries, including the Netherlands. This rumor now seems to be confirmed by a mandatory course on e-SIM, who must follow Apple Stores employees.
Employees of Apple Stores and other points of sale recognized by Apple are obliged to complete a course in a number of countries before Friday 5 September 2025. This course provides more information about iPhones with support for e-SIM, with which Apple seems to prepare the employees for the release of the iPhone 17. If the feature indeed disappears at the iPhone 17, employees must be able to explain this to customers clearly.
Release of the iPhone 17
Apple has mandatory the course for employees in 27 European countries, including France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the Netherlands. Chances are that the iPhone 17 will have to do it in these countries without a commonly used feature, because there the opening for the physical SIM card will disappear. For example, the iPhone 17 series becomes the first iPhone in Europe that only offers support for a digital SIM card. The new iPhone will be announced on September 9, a few days after the deadline for completing the mandatory course.
Do you still use a physical SIM card in your iPhone? Then when you purchase the iPhone 17 you have to request an e-SIM to get access to the mobile network. This is not a problem with many providers, with most subscriptions a digital SIM card is now also offered. This is often safer because a digital SIM card cannot be stolen. Do you want to know more about the iPhone 17? Then register for our newsletter, so that you will always stay informed!