Physical sim on the 14 ProMax

There is no option for a physical SIM on models sold in the U.S. but the following may help: Use eSIM while traveling abroad with your iPhone - Apple Support

This is primarily a user-to-user support forum; other Apple users like you.

Although speculation I honestly believe that most carriers globally will be supporting eSIM in the near future (although “near” is subjective). That’s something to keep in mind although I get the trepidation in relying on eSIM only if you travel a lot to places that don’t support it. If you tend to upgrade often then definitely return the one you have and buy it elsewhere…by the time you are ready to upgrade again it’s likely more carriers will have switched to eSIM support and you may be more comfortable at that point.

Buy it in any country that is not the US. That is the only way. As for why….it’s a choice Apple made. That is the only answer anyone on here will be able to give you as we are all users.

DO keep an eye on that 14-day window.

However, I think you might underestimate the speed by which the balance of world’s carriers might implement their own ability to provision eSIMs.

It wasn’t THAT long ago that Apple was pilloried for provisioning ONLY USB-C on their MacBook line … now USB-C has become “standard” and in-fact soon will be REQUIRED on EU mobiles.

Chattanoogan wrote:

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It wasn’t THAT long ago that Apple was pilloried for provisioning ONLY USB-C on their MacBook line … now USB-C has become “standard” and in-fact soon will be REQUIRED on EU mobiles.

It wasn't that long ago that Apple was pilloried for only having 3 1/2 floppy disk support on their Mac line with no 5 1/4 disk!