Apple might bring an iPhone 17 feature currently exclusive to the US to other countries.

If you live outside the US and plan to upgrade to an iPhone 17, you may need to have a chat with your carrier.

Apple will likely continue offering a physical SIM option in select countries, such as China. iPhones in most countries offer both eSIM and physical SIM support. However, in China and some other markets, devices use dual SIMs with two physical cards.

Google recently released the Pixel 10 with eSIM only in the US, similar to Apple's approach. Samsung’s Galaxy S25 provides both eSIM and physical SIM support, including in the US. Outside the US, some Samsung phones have dual physical SIMs, while the Pixel 10 has a physical and eSIM combination.

The availability of connectivity options is helpful for international travelers, so the removal of the physical SIM slot could be disappointing. Purchasing a local SIM can be more affordable and convenient. International eSIM services can be easier and cheaper for travelers. Hopefully, both options will remain available.

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