- Apple’s new iPhone air has removed the SIM tray worldwide
- Transporters must admit the incorporation of ESIM and frequent questions or the risk of losing customers
- Currently, only China Unicom admits Esim for iPhone Air in China
It has been a week occupied for Apple enthusiasts, with Apple revealing the new iPhone 17 series. While alignment offers a lot to unpack, the focus is on the iPhone Air is the thinnest iPhone of all time and to completely go.
In August 2025, we saw Google Pixel 10 making a similar movement when leaving the physical Sim card slots. The movement indicates a future only ESIM and pushes others OEM to do the same.
Interruption for carriers but the opportunity for ESIM suppliers
Analysts warn the risk of carriers Losing Roaming income because users will discover ESIM ESIM ESIM Most cheaper such as Holfly, Ubigi or Saily.
“Mobile operators everywhere need to build their retail and online support channels for a wave of new customer problems of ESIM and publish ESIM use guidelines and ESIM frequent questions,” says Emma Mohr-McClune, main telecoms analyst in Globaldata.
Another series of questions arises around telephone numbers and consumer preparation. Not all ESIM providers offer telephone numbers, since many only offer data plans. With the iPhone 17 Air, the demand for telephone numbers can increase; Otherwise, consumers will be forced to continue with traditional operators to call/SMS.
ESIM suppliers now face a growing opportunity (and pressure) to expand in the offer of telephone numbers. Alosim was one of Esim’s first suppliers to offer user telephone numbers when they travel.
When I asked the CEO of Alosim, Justin Shimoon, about the ESIM that offered telephone numbers, explained: “Our clients immediately saw the benefit of being able to completely alternate their main sim while traveling internationally, there is no risk of charges on their next phone bill, and using the combination of Alosim and silenced to stay connected. It has been very popular.”
But the change also exposes regional obstacles. The iPhone Air models bought outside continental China cannot be installed with the continental carrier ESIMS. Chinese telecommunications suppliers will have to quickly adapt to this growing change, since slow adoption could harm sales.
However, despite these obstacles, Trendforce projects that iPhone 17 shipments increased 3.5% compared to iPhone 16. Consumers are likely to get involved with this change, since the change of operator will become easier and users can download mobile plans in application stores.
“With ESIMS, connectivity is becoming a digital product. Users will download SIM profiles from the comfort of their homes, as well as installing an application. This will challenge the entire retail telecommunications system, forcing them to rethink how they sell and deliver mobile services,” says Vykintas Maknickas, CEO of Saily.
