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Imagine buying an iPhone that doesn't ask for a SIM tray. Strange? Not anymore. A new rumor from Techmaniacs suggests Apple is preparing to shift Europe toward eSIM-only iPhones when the iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max arrive.
Apple already sells eSIM-only models in a dozen markets — think the US, Japan, Mexico and Saudi Arabia. Why Europe next? The company has been quietly testing the water: fewer mechanical parts, slimmer frames, simpler logistics. But a move like this also nudges carriers, regulators and travelers into a new choreography. How will roaming, dual-SIM needs and local SIM availability adapt?
Here’s the detail that got people talking: removing the physical SIM slot frees up internal space. Techmaniacs claims that the iPhone 18 Pro Max could gain a battery bump to roughly 5,100–5,200mAh because of that reclaimed real estate. Bigger battery. Longer uptime. Sounds good on paper. Will real-world gains match the headline numbers? That’s another story.
Apple is reportedly splitting the iPhone 18 rollout into two waves. The Pro models would still arrive in Apple’s familiar September window, while the base iPhone 18 and an iPhone Air successor might be pushed into early 2027. Staggered launches like this let Apple focus upgrades and supply on the higher-margin devices first. It also gives carriers and regulators more time to adjust, if the rumor proves accurate.
There are trade-offs. eSIM simplifies activation and reduces waste, but it also concentrates control. Switching carriers should be quicker, yet some users—frequent international travelers or people who swap phones often—may miss the tangible security of a physical SIM. Repair shops, too, will adapt; fewer trays and tiny connectors change teardown patterns and parts inventories.
If Europe does join the eSIM-only club, it won't be a mere convenience tweak — it would be a structural shift in how phones are sold and used across an entire continent.
Apple’s choices often ripple beyond hardware. A move to eSIM-only in Europe would push operators to support remote provisioning more robustly and could accelerate eSIM adoption globally. Watch the September cycle closely. If these leaks are right, your next iPhone might come without a pin tool.
Source: gsmarena
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