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How to purchase an iPhone 15 with SIM slot

How can I order the new iPhone 15 model with a SIM card slot in the U.S ?


[Re-Titled by Moderator]

iPad mini, iOS 9

Posted on Sep 12, 2023 10:34 PM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Sep 22, 2023 5:27 PM

This is really not cool for US customers. We are the only one who has no options.👎👎👎

77 replies

Dec 4, 2023 10:34 AM in response to muhriinuh

Order an iPhone 15 from Apple Canada online. Shipping address to a UPS store in Canada. They charge $10.00 plus shipping cost to cross ship to the US. I have done it four times. Twice with a 14 and twice with 15s. Only catch is that you currently need a sim. You cannot get a sim to insert. I went into Verizon store with an 11 and asked to transfer my 13 eSIM to a physical sim and then inserted sim to my 14 and then direct into my 15. All good.

Nov 8, 2023 10:29 AM in response to muhriinuh

Apple cannot do this in other countries because of lack of eSIM adoption and/or government regulations, it will be 10+ years before these other countries will allow Apple to sell eSIM only devices.


We all know/understand some of the PROs of using an eSIM phone:

  • Convivence
  • Simplicity
  • Multiple devices able to accept a call
  • SIM card security if the phone is lost/stolen


Here are some of the CONs:

  • Not all countries use eSIMs
  • eSIM card rates are more expensive than SIM card rates

And the WORST

  • The phone can always be tracked because you cannot take the SIM out of the phone


Oct 5, 2023 7:19 AM in response to muhriinuh

if you are looking for an iPhone 14 or newer with the slot for the SIM, you need to buy it outside the USA

I live in the USA, but I bought my 14 PRO in Europe to have the SIM slot. I need to have a back up while on the road and if something happen to my daily driver, I can simply plug the SIM into the iPhone 13 Mini that I carry as a back up phone and I’m back in business in a few seconds. It can’t be so quick with an e-sim that requires time and data be activated.

Nov 10, 2023 6:01 PM in response to Niel

That is not always an option.


Getting an eSIM from a local carrier in the UK, for example, as pay as you go modality ( which is what most would get when traveling) is a no go as currently no UK carrier offers the eSIM for pay as you go. And with roaming your main local carrier is ridiculously expensive.



Sep 12, 2023 10:38 PM in response to muhriinuh

No iPhone 14 or above originally sold in the USA will have a physical SIM card slot. Apple designs its products to last and needs to be ahead of the curve; in a few years, very few people there will be using physical SIM cards.


People who reside outside it are supposed to buy one from a local store; these still support them.

People who travel outside it are supposed to use an eSIM from a local carrier or get a roaming plan.


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How to purchase an iPhone 15 with SIM slot

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