It is the biggest change yet for travelers.
I am not talking about the upgraded cameras or the better performance at this time. There is a subtle change that will affect people who are always on the go.
A sim card is a small chip that is used to associate your phone number with your cellular provider's network
For the past 15 years, Apple has sold phones with a sim card. It's important for international travelers and TPG readers to have this slot because some people only open the sim tray once.
Saving money on roaming fees is one of the reasons why people buy a local sim card.
Is Apple really taking a step back with the new flagship phones without the sim card slot?
I have been traveling with the family to find out.
The tech giant is using a new digital sim card standard called eSIM.
Apple continued to offer a physical sim card slot for those who preferred to use a chip, despite the fact that embedded sim cards first appeared on the iPhone.
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The physical sim slot is no longer included in the models sold in the U.S. As support for the eSIM standard expands globally, the tech giant will bring it to other regions as well.
It can be difficult to keep track of a physical sim card when you carry multiple chips for different carriers.
If your phone is lost or stolen, someone could take your phone from you and use it to make calls and send texts.
The latest models of the Apple device can hold at least eight eSIMs on a single device, which should be enough for most trips. Depending on the size of the sim card profile, you may be able to store more esims on your phone.
It's possible to use two eSIMs at the same time, as part of a helpful dual sim feature that was first introduced in the year 2000.
This feature is something I like a lot. I usually buy a local sim card when I am on the road to save money. I can stay connected to my primary U.S. carrier without paying the daily TravelPass charge.
The technology was in its infancy when Apple first introduced it.
I used to spend hours on the phone with the company to get my activated. The process began with finding a agent who was familiar with eSIM, and then asking that agent to send a code to your email.
This process fails more often than not. I had to go to a store to get a physical card because my account had been locked due to multiple unsuccessful attempts.
I blocked out extra time on my calendar for possible issues with the activation process because I panicked when Apple told me that the physical sim card slot was disappearing.
It couldn't have been simpler to use the eSIM.
Over the past year, Apple has worked with some of the largest wireless carriers in the world to support a new digital sim card transfer process.
I was asked if I wanted to transfer my phone number from my current phone to my new one.
After a few taps and one press of the power button on my old phone, I was able to transfer my phone number to the new Apple device.
This feature is supported by all three major wireless carriers in the U.S., and there are plenty of international carriers that have adopted this technology as well. The full list can be found in Apple's support article.
A new technology called "Carrier Activation" allows you to reprogram your phone with your eSIM profile.
In the U.S., it is easy to use eSIM service, but when you travel abroad, it gets more complicated.
There are three ways to use a mobile phone. You can purchase a local sim card or subscribe to a package from a worldwide service provider.
Depending on the length of your trip and the details of your plan, your bill could add up quickly if you choose the first option.
Many T-Mobile plans have unlimited international data.
The cheaper international service offered by Google Fi is one of the reasons it's an option. Depending on your travel schedule, you can stop and resume your Fi service.
Easy eSIM activations are supported by both T-Mobile and GOOGLE F.
When I went to add my new phone to my account, I was told to visit a website, take a photo of the phone and wait for the service to start.
For the first time, the eSIM activation process was not hard.
Apple has a list of over 400 wireless carriers that support eSIM.
Many of these companies have outposts in the arrivals halls at major airports, and I expect that eSIM support from international carriers will continue to grow.
There is no question that the transition to eSIM-only iPhones will be difficult in parts of the world where this technology isn't available.
I would recommend looking at worldwide service providers that offer data-only eSIMs.
Airalo is a company that sells digital, data-only eSims for over 190 countries around the world.
When I was in France last week, I downloaded an Airalo eSIM card and added it to my phone without having to go to a store or talk to a person.
I paid fifteen dollars for 5 gigabytes of data. It would have cost $100 with the company and $50 with the one they use.
Truphone and GigSky are two apps that have had great success with my colleagues.
If you need to make phone calls, you need to stick to internet-based apps, because these online carriers only offer international datapackages.
The biggest change with the iPhone 14 family is how you connect to the mobile network, but there are other improvements that will make traveling with your device easier and safer.
The Dynamic Island is exclusive to the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max.
The black "notch" at the top of each phone has been replaced by a cutout for the front-facing camera and sensor.
A pill-shaped cutout is created when the cutout is blended together in software.
The Dynamic Island is a smart hub that is different from the previous ones.
For travelers, the biggest implication is that time-sensitive notifications will be placed more prominently at the top of the screen, regardless of which app is in the foreground.
While Apple has done a good job of integrating the Dynamic Island with its first-party applications, it will take some time for developers to add support for this new notification style.
Apple seems to make big strides with its camera technology each year, and the Pro-level devices are no exception.
I took the 14 Pro Max to Kansas City, Missouri, and Boston, where I filmed a new airport terminal and some airplanes.
When I switched to shooting in ProRAW on the main camera the photo quality was even better. I had plenty of freedom to tighten my crop and play with the exposure and color levels without sacrificing any details.
The front-facing camera is getting better. It was easy to grab a selfies during my tour in Kansas City.
I haven't seen much of the low-light improvements yet, but I was impressed with the new stabilization feature.
With Action Mode enabled, you'll be able to capture smooth-looking videos even if your hands are rolling or shaking.
This feature requires a good amount of light and is capable of maxing out at a higher quality. It's poised to become a game-changer for flight and hotel reviewers who want to capture video content without carrying around Gimbals
Two important new safety tools have been introduced.
It is possible to get in touch with emergency services even if you don't have a cell phone.
Coverage in the U.S. and Canada will begin in November. It works on all the models of the phone.
Whether you are hiking in a national park or camping in the wilderness, assistance is always available.
Even when you're not on the grid, you can use satellite to update your location. Even if they can't call or text you, you can still follow your path.
Crash Detection could be a lifesaver. If you've been in a car crash, this uses the iPhone's improved gyro, barometer and accelerometer.
Your device will connect you with emergency services in a few taps if you have done so. If you don't respond within 10 seconds the device will call the emergency services.
Improvements that travelers will appreciate are offered by Apple.
The slot for the phone is eliminated. When you travel abroad, you will no longer need to carry a tiny sim card.
I have had no issues moving my domestic and international providers to eSIMs.
You should be able to stay connected in many of the most popular international tourist destinations thanks to the inexpensive international service offered by many cellular carriers.
You will enjoy a host of improvements once your phone is connected, ranging from a better notification experience with the new Dynamic Island to more professional videos with the improved cameras.
It is possible to get help after a car crash or an off-the-grid adventure.
The biggest leap forward yet for travelers is made possible by these features.
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