U.S. version of Apple iPhone 14 series can only use eSIM, z China version retains SIM card slot

Early this morning, Apple held a new conference to officially launch the iPhone 14 series of cell phones, which has four models: iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro, and iPhone 14 Pro Max, starting at $5,999, and will be available for pre-order on September 9.

At the launch event, Kaiann Drance, Apple's vice president of marketing, said that the U.S. version of the iPhone 14 series will no longer have a SIM card slot, and users will only be able to use eSIM (Embedded SIM). However, the iPhone 14 series sold in China will not be affected and will still have a SIM card slot, allowing users to continue using a physical SIM card.

eSIM is an embedded SIM card, known as Embedded-SIM. eSIM turns a pluggable physical SIM card into a virtual SIM card that is embedded directly into the device chip, providing proof of identity for each end device and allowing it to access the carrier's network.

eSIM can further save space inside the phone, making room for other components such as processor and battery. However, eSIM is a bit of a hassle to change phone numbers, requiring a visit to a business office or a swipe of a code from another phone to do so.

Apple applied for a patent for eSIM back in 2011, and with the launch of the iPhone XR and XS in 2018, Apple began introducing eSIM to the iPhone. iOS 16 added support for Bluetooth transmission of eSIM between iPhones.

iPhone in mainland China does not currently support eSIM. iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 12 mini, iPhone SE (2nd and 3rd generation), and iPhone XS support eSIM in Hong Kong and Macau.