If you love to travel with your iPhone, get ready for a change. Rumor has it that the iPhone 17 won’t have a slot for a physical SIM card anywhere – not just in the U.S., but in every country. That means you will rely only on eSIMs to get mobile service when you are abroad. In the article below, we will quickly break down what this could mean for your next trip and how to stay connected without the tiny plastic card.
In this article
Apple already removed the SIM-tray from the U.S. versions of the iPhone 14/15/16. Now several leaks suggest the iPhone 17 will ship everywhere with no physical SIM slot at all. For travelers, that means:
So, if you purchase an iPhone 17 as soon as it comes out, your next trip’s mobile plan will have to be 100% digital.
| Potential issues | What To Check Before You Fly |
| Few prepaid eSIMs in some countries(e.g., Philippines, parts of Sub-Saharan Africa, Argentina) | Check that at least one local carrier — or a regional plan such as Gigago’s – offers eSIM in your destination |
| Airport kiosks still sell plastic-SIM starter packs only | Order a travel eSIM online and download it while you are on reliable Wi-Fi.. |
| Ultra-cheap home carriers (budget MVNOs) that haven’t switched to eSIM | If you rely on a bargain home carrier, convert that number to eSIM before you upgrade. |
| ID checks that still ask for the plastic SIM’s ICCID number | Some immigration forms or SIM-registration portals still ask for the plastic ICCID. Keep your passport handy – most systems accept that instead. |
| Carrier-locked iPhones | Make sure your iPhone 17 is fully unlocked. A locked phone can block you from installing any third-party eSIM abroad. |
If Apple goes eSIM-only worldwide, the iPhone 17 will make border-hopping simpler—as long as you prep ahead. Secure your digital plans before wheels-up and you’ll land connected; forget, and that missing SIM tray could become the priciest slot Apple ever removed.
Need a ready-to-use plan? Browse country, regional, and global eSIM plans – already tested on the latest iOS 19 beta – at Gigago.com.
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