The upcoming iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max are expected to launch without a physical SIM card slot, working only with eSIM. The information comes from TechManiacs, which says Apple plans to remove the SIM slot to make more room inside the phone for larger batteries.
This decision would add to the approach taken with the iPhone Fold, which is also expected to operate only with eSIM due to its ultra-thin design that leaves no room for a traditional SIM tray. According to the source, Apple has ruled out launching versions with a physical slot, even though earlier reports suggested the company would offer two variants of the iPhone 18 Pro Max: one eSIM-only version equipped with a 5,100–5,200 mAh battery, and another with a physical SIM slot that would carry a 5,000 mAh battery.
Improved Connectivity and Steady Pricing for the iPhone 18 Pro
The iPhone 18 Pro models would include two updated wireless chips: the N2 wireless network chip and the C2 modem. The latter would support both 5G mmWave and sub-6 GHz. The C2 modem would use TSMC’s 4 nm manufacturing process, which, combined with the 2 nm process of the A20 Pro SoC, could deliver incremental improvements in energy efficiency.
Regarding pricing, a GF Securities analyst states that Apple would keep launch prices unchanged or at a similar level to those of the iPhone 17. This would place the iPhone 18 Pro at $1,099 and the iPhone 18 Pro Max at $1,199 when they launch in September this year.
The removal of the SIM slot represents a continuation of the strategy Apple began with models sold in the United States starting with the iPhone 14, where a physical slot was no longer included. With the iPhone 18 Pro, this feature would extend to all global markets where these specific models are sold.
