Apple giveth OLED screens, and Apple taketh away… SIM playing cards. As spotted by 9to5Mac, Apple has eliminated the bodily SIM slot on the mobile variations of the brand new iPad Air and iPad Professional fashions. First the iPhone, now the iPad — Apple is all in on an eSIM future, it appears.
The iPhone 14 was the primary mannequin to lose the SIM slot, however solely within the US — variations offered in different international locations nonetheless embody a bodily SIM tray. That doesn’t appear to be the case with the brand new iPad Air and iPad Professional; Apple’s UK and Canadian retail websites state that the brand new fashions use eSIM and are “not appropriate with bodily SIM playing cards.”
eSIM has been catching on in recognition over the previous few years. Most smartphone flagships help the know-how, however solely Apple has taken the additional step of creating eSIM the solely choice. For most individuals, that doesn’t pose an issue — establishing an eSIM or transferring it from one other Apple product is straightforward enough. However in the event you’re accustomed to taking out your SIM and transferring it between gadgets ceaselessly, particularly if a few of these gadgets run Android, eSIM is usually a actual ache. Ask me how I know.
Regardless of that, transferring to eSIM-only on the iPad strikes me as an affordable transfer. Presumably, most individuals pop within the SIM card and neglect all about it anyway. And in concept, eSIM might make it simpler to buy round for a cell pill plan — not like an Apple Watch, your iPad’s eSIM doesn’t have to be through the same carrier as your iPhone. Nevertheless you pay for it, one factor is evident — Apple is totally embracing eSIM, and so are the remainder of us, whether or not we prefer it or not.