iPhone 17 Pro Leak Reveals SIM Card Tray Might Live Another Year in Some Countries

iPhone 17 Pro models may still have a SIM card tray in at least some countries, based on images shared today by a hit-or-miss leaker known as Majin Bu and on Naver.

iPhone 17 Pro on Desk Centered 1
The Information previously reported that Apple was planning to remove the physical SIM card tray from iPhones in more countries this year. The report did not mention any specific countries where it would be removed, but China might not be one of them.

In the U.S., all iPhone 14 through iPhone 16 models do not have a SIM card tray, and instead rely entirely on digital eSIM technology. Apple has yet to release any iPhone models without a SIM card tray in any other countries.

At a minimum, the all-new iPhone 17 Air is expected to lack a SIM card tray in most if not all countries, due to its ultra-thin design.

When the iPhone 14 series launched in 2022, Apple promoted eSIMs as being more secure than a physical SIM, as they cannot be removed from an iPhone that is lost or stolen. In addition, at least eight eSIMs can be managed on an iPhone at once, eliminating the need to obtain, carry, and swap physical SIM cards while traveling.

Apple has a support document with a list of carriers around that world that support eSIMs.

Related Roundup: iPhone 17 Pro
Related Forum: iPhone

Popular Stories

iOS 26

iOS 26.4 and iOS 27 Features Revealed in New Leak

Friday December 12, 2025 10:56 am PST by
Macworld's Filipe Espósito today revealed a handful of features that Apple is allegedly planning for iOS 26.4, iOS 27, and even iOS 28. The report said the features are referenced within the code for a leaked internal build of iOS 26 that is not meant to be seen by the public. However, it appears that Espósito and/or his sources managed to gain access to it, providing us with a sneak peek...
Apple Foldable Thumb

Leak Reveals Foldable iPhone Details

Monday December 15, 2025 9:09 am PST by
The first foldable iPhone will feature a series of design and hardware firsts for Apple, according to details shared by the Weibo leaker known as Digital Chat Station. According to a new post, via machine translation, Apple is developing what the leaker describes as a "wide foldable" device, a term used to refer to a horizontally oriented, book-style foldable with a large internal display....
iOS 26

Apple Releases iOS 26.2 With Alarms for Reminders, Lock Screen Changes, Enhanced Safety Alerts and More

Friday December 12, 2025 10:10 am PST by
Apple today released iOS 26.2, the second major update to the iOS 26 operating system that came out in September, iOS 26.2 comes a little over a month after iOS 26.1 launched. ‌iOS 26‌.2 is compatible with the ‌iPhone‌ 11 series and later, as well as the second-generation ‌iPhone‌ SE. The new software can be downloaded on eligible iPhones over-the-air by going to Settings >...
iOS 26

iOS 26.2 Coming Soon With These 8 New Features on Your iPhone

Thursday December 11, 2025 8:49 am PST by
Apple seeded the second iOS 26.2 Release Candidate to developers earlier this week, meaning the update will be released to the general public very soon. Apple confirmed iOS 26.2 would be released in December, but it did not provide a specific date. We expect the update to be released by early next week. iOS 26.2 includes a handful of new features and changes on the iPhone, such as a new...
macOS Tahoe 26 Thumb

Apple Releases macOS Tahoe 26.2 With Edge Light

Friday December 12, 2025 10:08 am PST by
Apple today released macOS Tahoe 26.2, the second major update to the macOS Tahoe operating system that came out in September. macOS Tahoe 26.2 comes five weeks after Apple released macOS Tahoe 26.1. Mac users can download the macOS Tahoe update by using the Software Update section of System Settings. macOS Tahoe 26.2 includes Edge Light, a feature that illuminates your face with soft...
AirPods Pro Firmware Feature

Apple Releases New Firmware for AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods Pro 3

Thursday December 11, 2025 11:28 am PST by
Apple today released new firmware designed for the AirPods Pro 3 and the prior-generation AirPods Pro 2. The AirPods Pro 3 firmware is 8B30, up from 8B25, while the AirPods Pro 2 firmware is 8B28, up from 8B21. There's no word on what's include in the updated firmware, but the AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods Pro 3 are getting expanded support for Live Translation in the European Union in iOS...
airpods max 2024 colors

AirPods Max 2 Likely to Offer These 10 New Features

Monday December 15, 2025 7:41 am PST by
Apple released the AirPods Max on December 15, 2020, meaning the over-ear headphones launched five years ago today. While the AirPods Max were updated with a USB-C port and new color options last year, followed by support for lossless audio and ultra-low latency audio this year, the headphones lack some of the features that have been introduced for newer generations of the regular AirPods and the ...
apple beta 26 lineup

Apple Leak Confirms Work on Foldable iPhone, AirTag 2, and Dozens More Devices

Monday December 15, 2025 2:05 pm PST by
Last week, details about unreleased Apple devices and future iOS features were shared by Macworld. This week, we learned where the information came from, plus we have more findings from the leak. As it turns out, an Apple prototype device running an early build of iOS 26 was sold, and the person who bought it shared the software. The OS has a version number of 23A5234w, and the first...

Top Rated Comments

ksec Avatar
17 weeks ago
The whole ecosystem behind eSIM still hasn't improved. From eSIM transfer, reactivation with Carriers etc. And Apple isn't pushing it enough either.

As of today eSIM is only good on paper. And unless they someone improve the situation I much rather have a nano sim slot ready.
Score: 26 Votes (Like | Disagree)
WarmWinterHat Avatar
17 weeks ago

Please get rid of it, it’s time. Smooth iPhone please ?
Not having a SIM sucks...

I used to take out my sim, until October when I bought my 16, and put in a flip-phone when I went backpacking or off-grid for several days, which I do several times per year. Can't do that anymore.

Now I leave it at home and take a pre-paid and my inReach.
Score: 22 Votes (Like | Disagree)
turbineseaplane Avatar
17 weeks ago
I’m fine with eSIMs, I just wish they would retain a nano Sim slot also in case you need it.
Score: 18 Votes (Like | Disagree)
WarmWinterHat Avatar
17 weeks ago

Why do they still have a SIM? Seems very technologically backwards and out of date, it’s not the 1990’s anymore
Why? Because eSim still isn't fleshed out, and it's another way for carriers to keep people keepp control over phones and service.

I know they are working on it (supposedly), but you can't transfer from iOS to Android, or vice versa. Plenty of carriers haven't figured out how to transfer at all.
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)
joeblow7777 Avatar
17 weeks ago

The SIM slot is like the headphone jack. It’s outdated and needs to go.

The best way to do this is like ripping off a Band-Aid. Yank that sucker off. Some people might scream or cry but after that brief moment things will get better.
Unlike the headphone jack, not having a SIM tray makes your phone literally unusable if your carrier doesn't have proper eSIM support, or you travel to a place that doesn't.
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ThailandToo Avatar
17 weeks ago

Please get rid of it, it’s time. Smooth iPhone please ?
To remove it was AAPL catering to carrier interests not customer interests. The carriers want the customers paying as much as $30 per day for a little bit of data and calling and texts when traveling internationally. With a SIM card, have to focus on all customers who travel as many countries do NOT have eSIM at all. Or some have it but it’s 20x more difficult than a physical SIM. Could eSIM be better, sure. But when China doesn’t allow it, how does Apple abandon it completely? First time I was eSIM only realized I couldn’t get an eSIM in Malaysia, so have to travel with a Nothing Phone that has a SIM card when traveling to countries where I may not be able to use an eSIM. Better to include both until the whole world is ready. ESIM is great in most of the developed world but in other countries it can be a nightmare. For example, traveling to countries in Africa or Asia can buy a SIM card that’s unlimited local calls, texts and unlimited data for 30 or 60 days for just $10. Try paying AT&T $10 for just one day. You won’t get local calls and far less data.
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)