Apple iPhone 17 series is likely to be e-SIM only in these countries, three years after rollout in the US

Apple reportedly seems set to expand its e-SIM only models with the upcoming iPhone 17 series. This means that Apple will introduce its eSIM-only approach beyond the United States, with the new iPhone 17 lineup likely to be the first to feature the change. Since the launch of the iPhone 14 in 2022, Apple has exclusively sold eSIM-only models in the U.S., while continuing to offer physical SIM card trays in iPhones sold in other countries. Now, three years later, analysts and industry insiders suggest this is about to change.

iPhone 17 Air or across models: What speculations say

Rumors point to the upcoming iPhone 17 Air as a prime candidate for the transition, with its ultra-thin design making the removal of the physical SIM tray a logical step to save internal space. The move would bring a unified hardware design to iPhones globally, a significant shift for the company.Analysts Ming-Chi Kuo and The Information have both reported on the expected change for international models, specifically noting the iPhone 17 Air. Adding further weight to these reports, MacRumors has revealed that Apple is already preparing retail partners for the transition. According to the publication, Apple Authorized Resellers in the European Union are required to complete a training course on eSIM-only iPhones by Friday, September 5, just four days before Apple’s scheduled event.

Apple iPhone 17 series: Models and likely specs

Apple’s annual fall event, dubbed 'Awe Dropping', is slated for September 9, where the company is expected to unveil the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Air, iPhone 17 Pro, and

iPhone 17 Pro Max

. The event is also expected to feature the new

Apple Watch Series 11

, Apple Watch Ultra 3, and potentially even the third generation of AirPods Pro.The most notable change is a potential fourth model, the iPhone 17 Air, which is rumored to be an ultra-thin device replacing the "Plus" model. All four phones—the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Air, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max—are expected to receive major upgrades.A key improvement for all models is the rumored ProMotion display, bringing a 120Hz refresh rate to the standard and Air models for the first time. The entire lineup is also expected to feature a new 24-megapixel front-facing camera. The Pro models, in particular, are tipped to get a new horizontal pill-shaped camera bar and an upgraded rear camera system with three 48-megapixel sensors for the iPhone 17 Pro Max, potentially enabling 8K video recording.The series will be powered by Apple's new A19 chip, with Pro models getting the even more powerful A19 Pro. This new silicon, along with a rumored increase in RAM to 12GB for Pro models, is expected to enhance Apple Intelligence AI features. Additionally, the iPhone 17 Pro Max may house a 5,000 mAh battery, the largest ever in an iPhone, promising a major boost in battery life.