Following the iPhone’s footsteps, Apple has switched solely to eSIM on the 2024 iPad Pro and Air. The 2 tablets’ mobile fashions lack a bodily SIM slot altogether.
With this transfer, Apple has transitioned two main product classes to eSIMs.
2024 iPad Professional and iPad Air leap on the eSIM bandwagon
In markets exterior the US, you should buy the iPhone 15 Professional sequence with a bodily SIM slot. Nonetheless, that’s not the case with the brand new M4 iPad Professionals and M2 iPad Airs. Apple’s pill itemizing within the EU and the UK solely mentions eSIM assist and incompatibility with bodily SIM playing cards.
This transfer from Apple will solely assist speed up its transition solely to eSIM worldwide or at the very least throughout main markets.
An eSIM-only possibility on the iPad makes rather more sense than on the iPhone. When you arrange a mobile connection on the pill, you might be unlikely to change operators quickly. Plus, eSIM makes it simple to deal with a number of networks whereas roaming.
Nonetheless, the shortage of a bodily SIM slot will be a problem in case your operator or MVNO doesn’t assist eSIMs. If nothing else, this would possibly drive them to hurry up their transition to eSIMs.
No Apple stickers with new iPads
The bodily SIM slot just isn’t the one factor lacking from the 2024 iPads. Apple has additionally stopped bundling its iconic stickers with them.
Whereas Apple didn’t focus on this throughout its “Let Unfastened” occasion, it talked about the change in a memo distributed to Apple Retailer staff, as seen by 9to5Mac. The report says the corporate eliminated the stickers to make the pill’s packaging plastic-free and attain its environmental targets.
When shopping for a brand new iPad Professional or iPad Air, you’ll be able to request an Apple Retailer worker for a sticker. Reportedly, Apple is transport out a small batch of stickers so staff can present them to clients upon request. However this profit solely seems to be obtainable once you buy the brand new iPads instantly from an Apple retailer and never a third-party retailer.