UK iPhone 17 Pro/Pro Max – eSIM-Only Availability and Battery Differences

Servant of Cats wrote:

Wantesim wrote:

This forum is getting very mixed up it’s not in order

That's because the default Forum sorting these days is by "Rank" – which often makes it nearly impossible to follow long conversations.

I tried my best in FHB to get that changed. I have now lost any hope of getting it fixed.

I have been using several eSIMs on my iPhone XR for many years now. I'm not interested in a physical sim tray, that I will not use, and that is going to make the battery capacity of my iPhone 17 pro lower. If I buy the iPhone 17 pro, I don't want to pay a premium price for an outdated technology (physical SIM card), which is not going to be useful to me, and have a lower battery capacity, while some others can get the full premium experience in Canada or Japan, or.... I'm from France. Apple should offer the possibility to buy the eSIM-only iPhone 17 pro to Europeans. I'm disappointed. I need to renew my device. But maybe the iPhone isn't the smartphone I need after all, as it doesn't satisfy my European needs.

It's so disappointing Apple doesn't offer European customers the ability to buy the eSIM-only iPhone 17 pro (A3522). I want bigger battery, and I'm not interested in physical SIM card. I'm in France. Physical SIM card are outdated. eSIMs are common in France. I have been using them for several years now.

croarkzur257 wrote:

I have been using several eSIMs on my iPhone XR for many years now. I'm not interested in a physical sim tray, that I will not use, and that is going to make the battery capacity of my iPhone 17 pro lower. If I buy the iPhone 17 pro, I don't want to pay a premium price for an outdated technology (physical SIM card), which is not going to be useful to me, and have a lower battery capacity, while some others can get the full premium experience in Canada or Japan, or.... I'm from France. Apple should offer the possibility to buy the eSIM-only iPhone 17 pro to Europeans. I'm disappointed. I need to renew my device. But maybe the iPhone isn't the smartphone I need after all, as it doesn't satisfy my European needs.

Then don't buy one. It doesn't matter to anyone here what you buy or why you buy it. You should always buy the phone that best meets your needs. Good luck finding another premium phone in Europe without a SIM Slot. Google Pixel? Nope, they have one. Samsungs newest premium phones? Nope they have one.

ric138 wrote:

Absolute rubbish! You can by an eSIM in the UK, I have one on my iPhone 15!!! please get your facts correct

The MVNOs are catching up in UK but the most popular, Lebara, is lagging in this regard, maybe they will have eSIM this year.

I have Giff Gaff and Spusu eSIMs, I will NOT pay O2 or EE prices for the same networks!

Hi Niel, apologies for the basic questions but I am quite illiterate at tech I'm sorry to say and you sound extremely knowledgeable. I am going to NY tomorrow for a few days and while there was going to get a new iPhone as my old xR is really not working very well any longer and I just fancied an upgrade. I was thinking about getting the 17Pro but am a bit confused about the eSIM/physical SIM issue. I am on Vodafone in the UK and am very happy to go eSIM only. Will Vodafone support this in the UK for me and is it quite easy to set up do you know. Do I have to contact Vodafone in advance of going to the US and/or will Apple be able to set up my new phone in the store directly quite straightforwardly anyway. I don't mind waiting to return to the UK to set up the phone if that's the only option if the eSIM thing is a major issue but I just thought it might be nice to be able to use it immediately. Thank you for any thoughts and apologies again for the dumb questions. Raj

RajJansari wrote:

I am going to NY tomorrow for a few days and while there was going to get a new iPhone as my old xR is really not working very well any longer and I just fancied an upgrade. I was thinking about getting the 17Pro but am a bit confused about the eSIM/physical SIM issue.

The type of SIM aside, it is possible that you will not be able to get the model phone you want just by walking into the store. Phones tend to be in rather short supply just after launch. The other concern is that any iPhone you buy in the U.S. will not have a warranty in the UK. Stores will be able to help you with things that don't require the phone to be replaced. However, if you need a replacement, you may be out of luck as the model phone you will have will not be available in the UK.

I am on Vodafone in the UK and am very happy to go eSIM only. Will Vodafone support this in the UK for me and is it quite easy to set up do you know. Do I have to contact Vodafone in advance of going to the US and/or will Apple be able to set up my new phone in the store directly quite straightforwardly anyway. I don't mind waiting to return to the UK to set up the phone if that's the only option if the eSIM thing is a major issue but I just thought it might be nice to be able to use it immediately.

From what I understand, the phone will work. However, you may not be able to set it up in the U.S. I would call Vodafone in advance if you decide to go through with this.

Re: “Just buy it from a country where it meets your requirements, and get it shipped back to you.”

Apple will not ship internationally, or to freight forwarding companies. If you evade that by shipping the phone yourself, you will have a phone that may not have a usable warranty in the country where you will be using it.

Of course it is a valid reason to consider battery life.... but considering people need to sleep at least for a few hours daily, the significant battery life of any of these models is a non-issue for the vast majority of people. As long as consumers can hammer phones for upto 24 hours is ample in my view. I do have to wonder how some people coped 10 years ago, maybe even 20 if this is the biggest issue they have. With charging technology the way it is now, i.e. pocket solar chargers and the like, battery life at this level is a moot point. And if someone can't get a charge in a 24 hour period at the speed these new phones can then there is something drastically wrong. If people can afford these phones, they can surely afford to charge them.

The sad reality is that more always wants more. No one is ever satisfied with what they are given. 30 years ago there was no such thing as a smart phone. Now it's whine whine whine about it not being good enough. People should think themselves lucky they can afford such technology these days and remember they have a choice. Not happy? Then don't buy it, simple. Give it another year or two and there will be even better battery technology. That's technology evolution for you. But the masses will still complain.

If I can get a full days work and part time social life out of my phone with charge to spare in a day then great. My current iphone does that in spades. The new 17 pro max won't be a game changer for me, it'll just be a bit faster and last a bit longer, though any new features will be fun to navigate. A month later and it will be business as usual!

irishlolo wrote:

That said, my only suggestion (rather than complaint) is that Apple should have given European customers the choice between the two variants: eSIM-only or SIM + eSIM. Technically, eSIM-only iPhones sold in the U.S. or other regions already meet all global mobile standards and can be used perfectly well in Europe.

You should definitely make that suggestion to Apple:

Product Feedback - Apple

gangu wrote:

iPhone 17 or any model with an option for nano-sim is preferred. It is SOOO convenient when you travel internationally. I am not sure which market study stated customers prefer e-Sim only.

The reasons may be more complicated than how many people like physical SIMS vs. how many like eSIMs. Removing the SIM slot frees up precious space in the phone that can be used for other things that people have a really strong preference for, such as batteries that last longer. Or better speakers or cameras.

Honestly, I suspect the vast majority of people don't care about what kind of SIM they are using. I understand it makes a difference to some people, and if you're in that group, it's an issue.

Thankyou for your reply and the link much appreciated.

Ok Thanks for your information on here I will use the feedback link.

Deputy_D wrote:

Ok Thanks for your information on here I will use the feedback link.

You're welcome.