Last week in Apple Far Out eventthe company presented iPhone 14 series, with most of the phones in the lineup slated for release later this week. But if you plan to buy the iPhone 14 and live in the United States, you should know this will not include a physical SIM card slot.
Sure, the iPhone 14 will have a SIM card, but it will have an embedded SIM (eSIM), which means it will have an electrical SIM card already included in the phone — no need to go to a store and physically buy and install the SIM card in the device. Many major US carriers, such as AT&T and Verizon, also offer eSIM support.
Of course, the iPhone 14 is not the first Apple smartphone to include eSIM support, as it was available on iPhone since 2018. However, prior to the iPhone 14, those who purchased an iPhone X series (or newer) had the option of using two SIM cards simultaneously: a physical SIM and an eSIM.
Apple spokesperson told The Verge that the iPhone 14 can store “at least eight eSIMS, with up to two active at the same time.”
The eSIM has several advantages, as it makes it easier (to a certain extent) to switch networks or try a new mobile operator with minimal requirements. And with the latest major iPhone update, iOS 16, you can transfer eSIM between iPhones via Bluetooth connection. But the main downside of eSIM is how complicated it can be if you decide to switch from an iPhone to an Android phone.Taylor is IGN’s Associate Technical Editor. You can follow her on Twitter @TayNixster.
