Apple appears poised to remove the physical SIM card slot from its upcoming iPhone 17 models in more countries, with a significant rollout anticipated across the European Union.
This change would mark the latest step in Apple’s long-term strategy of transitioning to the more secure and flexible eSIM technology, a move already implemented in the United States.
Apple is reported mandating that employees at Apple Authorized Resellers across all 27 EU member states complete a new training course on iPhones equipped exclusively with eSIM support.
According to a source familiar with the matter, the deadline for this training is Friday, September 5—just four days before Apple’s “Awe Dropping” event on Tuesday, September 9, when the iPhone 17 lineup is expected to be unveiled.
The timing and scope of the training strongly suggest that at least some iPhone 17 models sold in major EU markets—including France, Germany, Italy, and Spain—will ship without a physical SIM tray.
Customers in those countries would therefore need to adopt eSIM technology, a digital SIM standard that allows users to activate a cellular plan without inserting a physical nano-SIM card.
eSIMs are embedded directly into the device, cannot be physically removed, and offer enhanced security by preventing SIM-based device hijacking.
Beyond Europe, further evidence indicates that Apple may be preparing for a broader international rollout of eSIM-only iPhones.
The training materials are being disseminated through Apple SEED app, a platform used by Apple Store and authorized reseller staff worldwide, fueling speculation that eSIM-only devices will expand to additional markets.
Apple first eliminated the physical SIM tray from U.S. iPhones beginning with the iPhone 14 series in 2022, citing both security and convenience benefits.
An eSIM cannot be removed if a device is lost or stolen, and it enables users to switch carriers or manage multiple numbers more easily.
Industry observers have credited this shift with reducing fraud and simplifying cellular activation workflows in supported regions.
Rumors ahead of the announcement suggest that the new ultra-thin “iPhone 17 Air” model is a prime candidate to be eSIM-only in all regions.
Its slim design ostensibly leaves insufficient internal space for a physical SIM tray. However, the elimination of the SIM slot could extend across the entire iPhone 17 lineup—including Pro and Pro Max models—in many markets, consolidating Apple’s move toward a fully digital SIM ecosystem.
Not all regions are expected to follow suit immediately. Markets such as China, where regulatory hurdles around eSIM adoption remain high and dual physical SIM support is widespread, will likely retain the physical SIM slot.
Other regions, such as India, which currently offer both eSIM and physical SIM support, may adopt a mixed approach: some models (notably the rumored iPhone 17 Air) could be eSIM-only while others continue to include a physical tray. The full extent of Apple’s plan will become clear at its official unveiling next week.
As smartphone manufacturers worldwide increasingly embrace eSIM standards, Apple’s potential expansion of eSIM-only iPhones in the EU and beyond underscores a broader industry shift.
If adopted, the iPhone 17’s removal of the physical SIM card slot would further cement Apple’s reputation for pushing technological boundaries—and reshaping how users connect their devices to cellular networks.
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