Can I get a physical SIM version of the iPhone 17 Pro in UAE?

muhid112 wrote:

But it only says iPhone 17 model. No mention of the pros what do you think?

In this case, it doesn't matter what I think. Here's what Apple says (emphasis mine):

"eSIM is a digital SIM that offers greater flexibility, better security, and seamless connectivity compared to traditional physical SIM cards. An industry standard, eSIM is supported by over 500 carriers worldwide, including AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, and more. eSIM-only models of iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max will be available in Bahrain, Canada, Guam, Japan, Kuwait, Mexico, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, the U.S., and the U.S. Virgin Islands." 

Apple unveils iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max - Apple

It's the same thing that Apple said about the iPhone 17, word for word, except in that here, Apple refers explicitly to the iPhone 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max. They go on to say that removing the SIM tray let them put in a larger battery.

eSIM is a digital SIM that offers greater flexibility, better security, and seamless connectivity compared to traditional physical SIM cards.4 An industry standard, eSIM is supported by over 500 global carriers, including AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, and more. An eSIM-only iPhone 17 model will be available in Bahrain, Canada, Guam, Japan, Kuwait, Mexico, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, the U.S., and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Apple debuts iPhone 17 - Apple

No indication of being able to get a physical SIM in those regions, and has not been the case in the past with previous models as an option on SIM preference for a device purchase.

It’s our understanding that the new iPhones marketed within GCC members will NOT have nanoSIM slots.

It’s our understanding that it will apply to all three “17” models.

If accurate, this would be the same roll-out strategy Apple followed with iPhone 14 in the U.S.

In another thread, someone said that all iPhone 17 Air models will be eSim-only, worldwide. Those iPhones are a lot thinner than the others, so possibly the design did not allow (or would not have made it easy to include) a SIM tray.

Here you go:

Set up eSIM on iPhone - Apple Support

Using Dual SIM with an eSIM - Apple Support

I suspect you’ll find that eSIM adoption is generally a lot of over-wrought “hand wringing” over “no big thing.”

When will the iPhone 17 pro max actually come to retailers and authorised sellers. Like Apple only have them enough stock for the pre orders to make it seem more desirable and in turn valuable when it goes out of stock. So does anyone know how long I have to wait to buy the iPhone 17 pro 1T in Qatar from Ispace or fnac?

Good find.

I checked that article for a citation; but only read thru all the “fine print” vice the “main body.”

No one here can answer that question. Sorry, and stop with the conspiracy theories that Apple is doing this intentionally.