People are saying this is bad because you won't be able to swap phones without relying on the carrier to provision a new eSIM for you. I have the same gut reaction, but with my current physical SIM, I have to install the carrier's app, and there are many phones which don't work with my carrier, despite being unlocked phones and unlocked SIMs. And let's not forget that locking phones and SIMs has been common practice for awhile. So, while I don't have a good feeling about this, I'm not sure that the freedom of choice argument really holds water.
Apple said to be preparing for iPhones without SIM card slot in 2022
91–100 of 531 posts
Re: Apple said to be preparing for iPhones without SIM card slot in 2022
#92eSIMs are good but it doesn't eliminate the bureaucracy/paper work involved with acquiring an actual network connection, esp for those traveling across countries. Unless ofcourse you are willing to pay those listed roaming charges(some of which appear as hidden charges). Not sure what eSims or even Apple as a company can do about that?
> eSIMs are good but it doesn't eliminate the bureaucracy/paper work involved with acquiring an actual network connection
Of course they do, eSIMs allow companies like airalo to exist. Surely Apple moving fully to eSIMs will bring even more competition to this space.
Re: Apple said to be preparing for iPhones without SIM card slot in 2022
#93I am very worried about this. While I love (and sometimes use) eSIMs, the physical SIM has a huge advantage in that it gives me freedom. It's the revolution that GSM brought: just take your SIM and move it to a different phone. No permission required. Arguably we've become slaves to ecosystems of either Apple or Google at this point, as pretty much nobody uses a phone as "just a phone", you need to have an account wi…
I am sorry, but what? You can just remove the association of the eSIM with the telephone and activate it in another. There is no lock in here.
Sorry, you can't.
The e-SIM provisioning process is under the control of the carrier. They give you a QR code (or SM-DP string) which you scan/enter, your phone then contacts the carrier and after some back and forth acquires cryptographic keys which are stored in the eSIM chip.
There is no way to extract these cryptographic keys and enter them into another phone. Instead, you have to repeat the whole process and get a new QR code from the carrier. They may charge for this, or just be a pain in general and make it difficult or refuse for whatever reason.
I can see them taking advantage of this to prevent travellers using local SIMs for example - sure you can delete your eSIM and get a local one, but getting your own eSIM back will be difficult or outright impossible if you're still travelling (they may require physical ID verification, etc).
Re: Apple said to be preparing for iPhones without SIM card slot in 2022
#94Re: Apple said to be preparing for iPhones without SIM card slot in 2022
#95Earlier quoted context omitted.
Yet.
The SIM vendor lock in does exist with the physical SIM card already, with the vendor sold phones.
It exist, yes. But isn't used much in practice (where I live at least). I think it is illegal to charge to unlock them so the incentive for them to exist disappeared entirely.
Which kind of highlighted that it was a dark-pattern that only served to trick customers.
Kind of reinforces the notion that we should be worried...
Re: Apple said to be preparing for iPhones without SIM card slot in 2022
#96Earlier quoted context omitted.
The ethernet jack is too big, I wouldn't want a thicker laptop just for that. Just get the ethernet dongle if you need it.
I think this battle is long over and done with, but the Ethernet jack is not that big. A Thinkpad T470s/T480s has it and it is plenty thin. There are even some laptops with a collapsible RJ-45 port which allows it to be even thinner. A USB port is also not that thick yet it has been dropped on many recent laptops, although a Thinkpad X1 Carbon shows it is possible to have USB, HDMI etc on a 2lb / 1kg machine.
The T480 is 30% thicker than the new Macbook pros. I just got the 14" macbook pro and personally I think it's already a bit beefy.
Re: Apple said to be preparing for iPhones without SIM card slot in 2022
#97Is there a good reason why mobile phones still have SIM cards, besides the historical reasons?
Progress for the sake of progress... SIM cards have plenty of advantages, all of which relate to control of your hardware. With a physical SIM card you retain control of the number and can swap it easily. As other comments have shown, with an eSIM, you rely on the provider to provision it for you. I hated having to call the provider when I was with Sprint and Verizon Wireless in the US, when I wanted to change the ph…
This is stupid, your carrier could IMEI lock physical SIMs if they want. eSIMs change nothing, the control you speak of is just a delusion.
Re: Apple said to be preparing for iPhones without SIM card slot in 2022
#98Earlier quoted context omitted.
I am sorry, but what? You can just remove the association of the eSIM with the telephone and activate it in another. There is no lock in here.
Sorry, you can't. The e-SIM provisioning process is under the control of the carrier. They give you a QR code (or SM-DP string) which you scan/enter, your phone then contacts the carrier and after some back and forth acquires cryptographic keys which are stored in the eSIM chip. There is no way to extract these cryptographic keys and enter them into another phone. Instead, you have to repeat the whole process and get…
Could Apple permit you to store multiple provisioned eSIMs on one device, and switch between via UI?
Re: Apple said to be preparing for iPhones without SIM card slot in 2022
#99People are saying this is bad because you won't be able to swap phones without relying on the carrier to provision a new eSIM for you. I have the same gut reaction, but with my current physical SIM, I have to install the carrier's app, and there are many phones which don't work with my carrier, despite being unlocked phones and unlocked SIMs. And let's not forget that locking phones and SIMs has been common practice…
Your mobile network provider demands you to install an app? Thats… unique in my UK based experience.
Over here any provider apps are entirely optional and just a convenience AFAIK; and phones you’ve bought outright (or reached the end of the contract period on) are unlocked (or you have the right to have them unlock it).
Thats why this is a big change and potnetially bad news for many smaller UK operators who don’t currently have eSIM support baked into phones
Re: Apple said to be preparing for iPhones without SIM card slot in 2022
#100People are saying this is bad because you won't be able to swap phones without relying on the carrier to provision a new eSIM for you. I have the same gut reaction, but with my current physical SIM, I have to install the carrier's app, and there are many phones which don't work with my carrier, despite being unlocked phones and unlocked SIMs. And let's not forget that locking phones and SIMs has been common practice…
That's highly dependent on where you live though. Never even heard of it in many many years.