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Forced eSIMs: Difference between revisions

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== Hardware ==
==Hardware==


=== iPhone ===
=== Understanding modern sim card & [[wikipedia:ESIM|'''eSIM''' ('''embedded SIM''')]] hardware. ===
Apple Has introduced Esim support alongside the release of the iPhone 12 series in quarter 4 of 2020. <ref>https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IPhone_12
The current global modern standard by market adoption for SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) cards are nano sim form factor,  universal integrated circuit card (UICC) SOC's (system on a chip) cards. <ref>https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SIM_card#Developments</ref> <ref>https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universal_integrated_circuit_card</ref> this is the smaller sim card you started seeing in every handset from every major phone manufacturer beginning with hardware releases after 2012.<ref>https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SIM_card#Nano-SIM</ref> just like your phone, computer etc. these cards have their own cpu ram rom and digital I/o.  <ref>https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universal_integrated_circuit_card#design</ref>  '''eUICC''' (embedded UICC) also known as E-SIM cards are a form of highly re-programmable SIM typically as [[wikipedia:Ball_grid_array|BGA]]  IC chips soldered directly to the phones logic board during manufacturing. 
 
===iPhone===
Apple Has introduced eUICC chips &  eSIM support alongside the release of the iPhone 12 series in quarter 4 of 2020. <ref>https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IPhone_12


https://www.gsmarena.com/apple_iphone_12-10509.php
https://www.gsmarena.com/apple_iphone_12-10509.php


https://www.apple.com/by/iphone-12/specs/</ref> apple has counited this feature to date. <ref>https://www.gsmarena.com/results.php3?chkESIM=selected&chkReview=selected&sMakers=48&sAvailabilities=1,2&s5Gs=0&idCardslot=3</ref> in 2022 with the release of the iphone 14 series USA model iphones dropped support of nano sim<ref>https://www.gsmarena.com/apple_iphone_14-11861.php
https://www.apple.com/by/iphone-12/specs/</ref> apple has counited this feature to date. <ref>https://www.gsmarena.com/results.php3?chkESIM=selected&chkReview=selected&sMakers=48&sAvailabilities=1,2&s5Gs=0&idCardslot=3</ref> in 2022 with the release of the iphone 14 series USA model iphones dropped hardware support of user replaceable UICC nano sim cards<ref>https://www.gsmarena.com/apple_iphone_14-11861.php


https://support.apple.com/en-us/118669</ref>  "'''iPhone 14''' models and later that are '''eSIM only''' can activate without a Wi-Fi network. How to set up an '''eSIM''' on '''iPhone'''." <ref>https://support.apple.com/en-us/118669</ref>(the normal sim card most US and international users are familiar with.) in all other apple model varieties, INTERNATIONAL and CHINA. nano-sim remained supported outside the United States; by the 14 series, 15 series and 16 series. (most recent release as of writing 1/26/25.)
https://support.apple.com/en-us/118669</ref>  "'''iPhone 14''' models and later that are '''eSIM only''' can activate without a Wi-Fi network. How to set up an '''eSIM''' on '''iPhone'''." <ref>https://support.apple.com/en-us/118669</ref>(the normal sim card most US and international users are familiar with.) in all other apple model varieties, INTERNATIONAL and CHINA. nano-sim remained supported outside the United States; by the 14 series, 15 series and 16 series. (most recent release as of writing 1/26/25.)  


=== Future speculation ===
this transition raises further concerns about potentials for abuse if unregulated through [[wikipedia:Vendor_lock-in|Vendor lock in]], [[planned obsolescence]], and [[Anti competitive behavior]] in the form of [[Used market resisctions|used market restrictions]] <ref name=":0">https://www.apple.com/privacy/control/</ref><ref name=":1">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Planned_obsolescence</ref>
'''''NOTE the sources below are not to this wiki's overall standards of credibility and will likely be changed to first party sources from the manufacturer later once more reliable information is available'''''


* iPhone 17 Air:
===Future speculation===
'''''-NOTE-  the sources below are not to this wiki's overall standards of credibility and will likely be changed to first party sources from the manufacturer later once more reliable information is available'''''


According to Unofficial preliminary specifications for the iphone 17 air, support for nano sim will be entirely dropped for the model.<ref>https://www.gsmarena.com/apple_iphone_17_air-13502.php
*iPhone 17 Air:
 
According to Unofficial preliminary specifications for the iphone 17 air, support for nano sim will be entirely dropped for the model in all markets not just the united states.<ref>https://www.gsmarena.com/apple_iphone_17_air-13502.php


https://support.apple.com/en-us/101569</ref>  <ref>https://www.macrumors.com/roundup/iphone-17/#sim_tray
https://support.apple.com/en-us/101569</ref>  <ref>https://www.macrumors.com/roundup/iphone-17/#sim_tray
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'''''End note -'''''
'''''End note -'''''


=== Samsung Galaxy ===
industry transition to '''Integrated SIM (iSIM)'''  to the end user this is indistinguishable to EUICC e-sims however with isim the soc is embedded directly in the phones SOC or CPU dye. <ref>https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ESIM</ref> this unfortunately irreversibly even by highly technical means such as microsoldering ties data identifiers like a sim id history with the device IMEI and hardware id's <ref>https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9847909/#sec001</ref> Which this transition would raise further concerns about potentials for abuse if unregulated through [[wikipedia:Vendor_lock-in|Vendor lock in]], [[planned obsolescence]], and [[Anti competitive behavior]] in the form of [[Used market resisctions|used market restrictions]] <ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" />
 
===Samsung Galaxy===
Samsung introduced e-sim support in 2020 with the Galaxy s20 series of phones and continues nano sim support to the current day as of writing ( with 2025's S25 series of Galaxy phones.) <ref>https://www.gsmarena.com/samsung-phones-9.php</ref>
Samsung introduced e-sim support in 2020 with the Galaxy s20 series of phones and continues nano sim support to the current day as of writing ( with 2025's S25 series of Galaxy phones.) <ref>https://www.gsmarena.com/samsung-phones-9.php</ref>


=== Google Pixel ===
===Google Pixel===
all google pixel phones currently support nano sim <ref>[https://support.google.com/pixelphone/answer/7086887?hl=en#:~:text=You%20can%20connect%20your%20phone,of%20getting%20a%20new%20one. https://support.google.com/pixelphone/answer/7086887?hl=en#:~:text=You%20can%20connect%20your%20phone,of%20getting%20a%20new%20one.]</ref>
all google pixel phones currently support nano sim <ref>[https://support.google.com/pixelphone/answer/7086887?hl=en#:~:text=You%20can%20connect%20your%20phone,of%20getting%20a%20new%20one. https://support.google.com/pixelphone/answer/7086887?hl=en#:~:text=You%20can%20connect%20your%20phone,of%20getting%20a%20new%20one.]</ref>


== Mobile carriers & Networks ==
==Mobile carriers & Networks==


=== United states Mobile phone networks ===
===United states Mobile phone networks===
A fairly recent behavior of major mobile carriers (AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, etc.) is that they may sometimes supply devices with a digital SIM card, or eSIM card. (Seriously, PLEASE expand upon this){{Citation needed}}<!--wip see: https://moderndiplomacy.eu/2023/06/13/esim-and-privacy-laws-balancing-convenience-with-data-protection/#:~:text=The%20complexity%20of%20technology%20implementation,fall%20into%20the%20wrong%20hands.-->
A fairly recent behavior of major mobile carriers (AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, etc.) is that they may sometimes supply devices with a digital SIM card, or eSIM card without the option of a traditional nano sim alternative.{{Citation needed}}<!--wip see: https://moderndiplomacy.eu/2023/06/13/esim-and-privacy-laws-balancing-convenience-with-data-protection/#:~:text=The%20complexity%20of%20technology%20implementation,fall%20into%20the%20wrong%20hands.-->


=== Europe union Mobile phone networks{{Citation needed}} ===
===Europe union Mobile phone networks{{Citation needed}}===
basically not adopted in this market *
euicc esim tech is basically not yet widely adopted in this market *


=== China's Mobile phone networks ===
===China's Mobile phone networks===
<!--wip see the following references  
euicc esim tech is basically not yet widely adopted in this market *<!--wip see the following references  
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ministry_of_Industry_and_Information_Technology#Directly_Subordinate_Units
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ministry_of_Industry_and_Information_Technology#Directly_Subordinate_Units


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https://discussions.apple.com/thread/255256105?sortBy=rank-->
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/255256105?sortBy=rank-->


== References ==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}
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