Apple’s new iPhones — the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus — won’t have physical SIM cards, the company announced while launching the new models of iPhone 14 in Cupertino, California. eSIM will be the only way the iPhone 14 series authenticates with wireless carriers.

eSIM will be the only way the iPhone 14 series authenticates with wireless carriers. This feature would be available at least in the US.

It remains unclear if other countries, including India where Apple has massive sales. In 2021, Apple shipped 5.4 million smartphones to India. The year, despite the COVID-19 pandemic, was Apple’s best year in the country.

Apple’s market share in India stood at 4.4 per cent in 2021 in comparison with 2.4 the previous year.

Also Read | Apple introduces A16 Bionic chip in iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max: Details

What is eSIM?

eSIM lets you change a wireless carrier, data or service plan through software rather than having to change a physical SIM card.

While it’s not a new technology, only in the last few years, has eSIM become more common on mainstream mobile devices.

Major carriers including T-Mobile, Verizon and AT&T will provide resources to assist with eSIM-related questions, accordng to Apple. The companies will also assist with service upgrades and changes.

Apple has supported eSIMs alongside physical SIMs since the launch of iPhone XS, XS Max and XR as well as cellular-enabled iPads and Apple Watches.

Last year’s iPhone 13 even allowed for multiple eSIMs to be enabled at once, CNET reported.

Meanwhile the major changes have been made to the iPhone Pro phones, including the inclusion of a new feature called ‘Dynamic Island.’

Also Read | What is Dynamic Island feature in Apple’s iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 14 Pro Max?

The new iPhone 14 Pro models is coming with a ‘Dynamic Island’ feature and the notch on top of the display is gone.

The notifications will split into a little zone called Dynamic Island, which is interactive, showing connection status etc near the camera cutout on iPhone 14 Pro.

Tim Cook said that iPhone 14 Pro is the “most innovative Pro lineup yet.”