Apple released the foldable iPhone Duo this month, and the notable part is something that is missing: the SIM tray. The Duo is eSIM-only worldwide, with no country exceptions. Buy one and you will never slot a piece of plastic into your phone again.
For us that is hardly shocking news, but it does generate questions. Mostly this one: so what do I do on holiday?
What actually changed
The situation differs per model, so here is where things stand:
- iPhone Duo: eSIM-only in every country where it is sold. No SIM tray, not even in Europe.
- iPhone Air: was the first to ship worldwide without a tray, last year.
- iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max: eSIM-only in about a dozen countries, including the United States, Canada, Japan, Mexico and the Gulf states. In Europe they still have a tray.
- Other models in Europe: still have a tray.
In short: in Europe you can still buy phones with a physical SIM, but the direction Apple is heading is obvious. Android is going the same way, with Google's and Samsung's US flagships already eSIM-only.
When you travel, eSIM-only is an advantage
Most people's reflex is that they are losing something. In practice that SIM tray was the weak spot on a trip:
- You lost your own SIM. Buying a local SIM abroad meant storing your home SIM somewhere. A hotel safe, a wallet, that little pocket in your backpack. We have heard plenty of stories about SIM cards that stayed behind in Thailand.
- You were unreachable on your own number. Swap the card and you miss bank verification codes and messages from home.
- You needed a paperclip. Or that little pin you can never find.
An eSIM solves all of that, and you do not need an eSIM-only phone for it. But on an eSIM-only device it is the only route, which at least makes things simple: you buy your data bundle online, get a QR code by email, and install it at home on your own wifi.
Dual eSIM: two lines at once
The Duo keeps two eSIM profiles active at the same time and stores more than eight. That is exactly how you want to use it while travelling:
- Line 1: your home plan. Stays active for calls and texts. Your usual number works, and your verification codes arrive.
- Line 2: your travel bundle. Set it as your data line with data roaming on. All of your internet traffic runs over it.
That way you never accidentally pay your own provider's roaming rate while still being reachable. After the trip you switch the travel eSIM off and leave it there for next time, or delete it.
What to watch out for
To be fair, there are a few situations where an eSIM-only phone asks a bit more of you:
- You need internet to install an eSIM. That is a chicken-and-egg problem if you only think about data once you have landed. The fix: install your bundle at home before you go. Then all you do on arrival is flip a switch.
- Replacing a broken phone on the road is harder. If you buy an emergency handset somewhere, you cannot move your eSIM by swapping a card. Keep your installation email, and remember you can fetch your bundle again from your account.
- Some countries only offer local SIMs with mandatory registration. eSIM bundle availability can still be limited there. Check your destination before you go.
Does your current phone support eSIM?
Very likely. Almost anything from around 2019 onwards can do it: iPhone XS/XR and newer, plus recent devices from Samsung, Google and quite a few other brands. Not sure? Check your device in our eSIM compatibility checker before ordering anything.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use my regular plan on an eSIM-only phone? Yes. All major providers issue eSIM profiles. When you set up your new phone you can usually transfer your existing line straight away.
Can I move my travel eSIM to a new phone? A profile from us can be reinstalled as long as it is still valid: you fetch your QR code again from your account and scan it on the new device.
Do I need an eSIM-only phone to use your bundles? No. Any phone with eSIM support works, tray or no tray.
How many eSIM profiles can I store? It varies per device. Modern iPhones store eight or more and can have two active at once.
Conclusion
The SIM tray is on its way out, first on individual models and eventually everywhere. For travellers that is no loss: no loose card to misplace, no paperclip, and your own number stays reachable while your data runs over a cheap local bundle. Just set it up at home, because without internet no eSIM is going to arrive.
Next trip already booked? Browse the eSIM bundles by destination and set one up before you leave.