Apple iPhone 14’s eSIM-only Setup Won’t Go Down Well With Everyone; Here’s Why

Apple recently presented its fans with another flagship in the form of the iPhone 14 series. In addition to the expected design changes, the new models bring a lot more to the table, especially in the camera department. Apart from adding new features, the new iPhones also cut some old ones.

OEMs often try to come up with something new, or eliminate features that they think are no longer functional or practical. iPhone fans have seen it happen with the 3.5mm audio jack, and now the SIM tray is suffering the same fate.

In Apple’s world, eSIM is cool.

Yes, Apple has taken another leap and completely removed the SIM-only configuration of the SIM card tray (especially for the US market). While SIM functionality isn’t new to iPhones, previous models have had both physical SIM and SIM options.

Apple believes that removing the need to use a physical SIM will allow users to easily switch between digital SIMs and manage multiple numbers on one device. This also allows them to choose a more budget-friendly option when traveling abroad.

And since there is no physical SIM card, the SIM cannot be swapped out of the user’s iPhone in case of theft.

Why can it go back?

Well, it might not seem like a big problem at first, but there is another feature that escapes the eye. The viability of the SIM-only setup will depend on the situation, which is why it’s difficult to predict whether the decision will backfire for Apple.

Thanks to their digital nature, eSIMs are much easier to switch than their physical counterparts. For example, eSIM allows users to roam between major network providers. Users in the US can do so without having to visit the supplier’s authorized stores. But that can also be a problem.

There are a number of smaller mobile network providers that don’t yet offer SIM services, which poses a major problem for customers eager to upgrade to the newly launched iPhone 14 series. This will also be a hindrance to future iPhone 14 users looking to switch to a smaller carrier. In addition, the benefits of quick switching are of no importance to customers using a locked phone (paying monthly).

Should you import iPhone 14 from USA to India?

As the price of the latest iPhone 14 series is blowing through the roof in the Indian market, many customers will be willing to import the new smartphone from the US. But an eSIM-only setup might be a hindrance for them. Only Airtel and Reliance Jio are offering SIM services in India. However, getting an eSIM can be difficult.

Since the pros and cons of this Esim-only setup are subject to circumstance, all we can do is sit back and wait for the new flags to arrive in more pockets. The new implications have no discernible impact on average consumers or may prompt more service providers to launch ECM services.