Apple SIM For The iPhone Not Happening Anytime Soon

One of the cool new features of Apple’s new iPads is the Apple SIM. For those who are hearing about this for the first time, the Apple SIM is basically a SIM card that comes with the iPad and allows users to choose their carrier via a software menu, as opposed to having to go to the carrier’s store or website and place their order.

It also, in theory, allows users to swap between carriers easily, although as we have found out that isn’t necessarily the case. That being said, could the Apple SIM pave the way for a similar feature to be offered in future iPhones as well? As it turns out, maybe not. This is according to Greg Joswiak, Apple’s VP of iPhone, iPod, and iOS product marketing. Speaking at Re/code’s code/mobile conference, Joswiak explained why Apple SIM for the iPhone might not be happening anytime soon.

According to Joswiak, he said that most customers buy their iPhones from their carrier of choice directly, which is why it would not make sense to offer that feature. This is versus the iPad in which customers tend to purchase the tablet through Apple’s retail channels. “It’s about the customer experience. We ultimately don’t know who you are going to use as the carrier, [and] we want to make it as easy as possible.”

Of course this is based on markets like the US where phones are heavily subsidized, but in some parts of the world, phones tend to be bought off-contract with users either subscribing to a new carrier or simply inserting their current SIM card into the new phone, but what do you guys think? Would you like to see an Apple SIM inside iPhones in the future?

Tyler Lee
Categories: Apple, Cellphones
Tags: iPhone