When Apple introduced its new iPhone 14 family to the world, it confirmed that this generation would say goodbye to physical SIM cards, initially in terminals sold in the United States. Thus, they gave way to the digital version, the eSIM. Unlike when Apple got rid of the 3.5mm jack, this time there was no explanation behind it, or at least not one that would justify such a drastic change in the public eye. Today, after the first teardown of an iPhone 14 Pro Max, it is confirmed that This decision could be driven by the whim of those from Cupertino.
A video published by the YouTube channel PBKreviews has dedicated himself to disassembling an iPhone 14 Pro Max. Apart from revealing a lot of details and secrets of the device, it also confirmed that Apple is not using the extra space gained after removing the SIM tray.
To carry out his teardown video, the youtuber it was made with a US version of the iPhone 14 Pro Max. Let us remember that the variants manufactured in the American country have been chosen to get rid of physical SIM cards. The rest of the world, meanwhile, can continue to enjoy this feature.
Apple has filled this area of its iPhone 14 Pro Max with plastic
Just as you read it. The space left by the absence of a physical SIM card has not been used by Apple in any real way. In fact, those from Cupertino they have not found another solution than to fill the space with a piece of plastic. In this way, the zone is not completely empty, but it is simply not used for new components or functions.
Initially, the video claimed that this area was being used by a module that would allow satellite communication on the iPhone 14 and 14 Pro. However, after a review, the comment was removed.
Why hasn’t Apple filled this space with anything? The biggest probability is the simplification of the production of the iPhone 14 and 14 Pro. On a large scale, it is convenient to design the models in the most similar way possible. Thus, the planes of the American versions would have to resemble the rest of the models, an element that limits the use of this space.
Let’s remember: those people who have bought the iPhone 14 or 14 Pro outside the United States will receive a terminal that yes it has the tray to insert a physical SIM. The reason? Apple has probably negotiated a much simpler eSIM activation and transfer system, but only with carriers in the US.
In this way, if Apple wants to take advantage of this area, I would first have to execute the decision at the international level. Will they at some point? It is still too early to tell, but it is likely that those from Cupertino intend to take this plan to a global level. This might be a bit difficult, however, since the SIM card is the most popular form of mobile connection today. Forcing the adoption of eSIMs will not be an easy task, especially in developing countries.