If you’re thinking about getting the new iPhone 16, you might be wondering about its eSIM and dual-SIM capabilities. The iPhone 16 series does have eSIM support, which means you can use a digital SIM card instead of a physical one. However, the availability of physical SIM card slots varies depending on the market.
In the US, all versions of the iPhone 16 series do not have physical SIM card slots and only support eSIM. On the other hand, international models have both a physical SIM card slot and eSIM support. The only exception is the Chinese version, which has two physical SIM card slots but no eSIM support.
When it comes to dual-SIM functionality, all versions of the iPhone 16 series support it. In the US, you can use two eSIM profiles simultaneously, while international models allow for a combination of a physical SIM card and an eSIM profile, or two eSIM profiles. Chinese versions support two physical SIM cards at the same time.
Apple has phased out physical SIM card slots in the US since the iPhone 14 series, and this trend continues with the iPhone 16 devices. This means that if you’re in the US, you’ll need to use eSIM technology for your network connection.
For most users outside of the US, the lack of a physical SIM card slot won’t be an issue, as they still have that option available. However, travelers who rely on switching SIM cards from different countries may face some challenges with eSIM technology, as not all countries have fully adopted it yet. One possible solution is to import an iPhone 16 from another country with physical SIM card support.
In terms of activating an eSIM on your iPhone 16, there are several methods available, including during the setup process, through settings, using a QR code, or having the manufacturer push it to your device. You can also transfer eSIM profiles between iPhones, but there is still no official way to transfer eSIM profiles between Android and iPhones.
Overall, the iPhone 16 series offers eSIM and dual-SIM capabilities, with different configurations depending on the market. While the lack of a physical SIM card slot may impact some users, especially travelers, most users should be able to enjoy the benefits of eSIM technology on their new iPhone 16.