Apple has been selling eSIM-only iPhones in the United States since the iPhone 14 launched in 2022, and for the past few years UK buyers have continued to enjoy the safety net of a physical SIM tray. That may be about to change. Multiple reports now suggest Apple is ready to make the switch in Europe as well, potentially with the iPhone 17e in spring 2026 or the iPhone 18 later in the year.
What is an eSIM?
An embedded SIM (or eSIM) is a tiny chip soldered directly onto your phone's motherboard. Instead of swapping a plastic card, you download your mobile plan as a digital profile, usually by scanning a QR code or using your network's app. You can have multiple profiles on one phone and switch between them in seconds, which is particularly useful when travelling abroad.
Where each UK network stands
- EE: Full eSIM support for all pay monthly plans. eSIM transfer between devices is supported in the My EE app.
- O2: Supports eSIM on all pay monthly and PAYG plans. In-store activation available.
- VodafoneThree: Full eSIM support across both brands, though Three-branded PAYG still requires a physical SIM for some plans.
- Sky Mobile: eSIM supported since 2023.
- iD Mobile: Added eSIM support in mid-2024, now fully functional.
- Smarty: Launched eSIM support in October 2025.
- Tesco Mobile: Rolling out eSIM across all plans in Q1 2026.
Potential pitfalls
eSIM is not without quirks. Transferring a number between devices can be slower than swapping a physical card, and a handful of smaller MVNOs still do not support it. If you rely on quickly popping your SIM into a backup phone, you will need to get comfortable with digital transfers instead. Contract-free travel SIMs like Airalo and Holafly work excellently on eSIM-only iPhones, often at a fraction of the cost of traditional roaming.
What if you still want a physical SIM?
For now, Android flagships like the Galaxy S26 Ultra and Pixel 11 Pro will continue to offer physical SIM trays in the UK. Apple's transition, when it happens, is expected to be staged: the standard iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro still have a physical slot, and the change could begin with the iPhone 17e or iPhone 18. We will update this guide as soon as Apple confirms its UK plans.