The iPhone Air relies exclusively on eSIM technology primarily to accommodate its radical design goals. By eliminating the physical SIM card tray, Apple frees up critical internal volume required to achieve the device’s record-breaking form factor.
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Space Conservation for Ultra-Thin Design
The defining feature of the iPhone Air is its chassis, which is approximately 5.6 mm thick. To make a device this thin, engineers must utilize every millimeter of internal space efficiently. The physical SIM tray and its reading mechanism consume a significant amount of volume relative to such a slim profile. Removing this hardware is a “global solution” specifically intended to save space inside the casing, allowing the device to reach its target thickness without compromising structural integrity.
Unified Global Architecture
Unlike other models in the upcoming lineup, the iPhone Air will enforce the eSIM-only standard worldwide. While the standard iPhone 17 is expected to retain a physical SIM slot for markets outside the United States, the iPhone Air will lack this component in all regions, including China. This represents a major shift, as China has traditionally required physical SIM slots, but the physical constraints of the Air’s design necessitate a single, uniform internal configuration for all markets.
