Apple is moving toward a future where physical SIM cards—small chips that allow phones to connect to mobile networks—may eventually disappear. However, the iPhone 17 Pro sold in France still includes a physical SIM card, while its American version and the newer iPhone Air do not. The iPhone Air, despite being an eSIM-only model, did not gain much traction in the market and had limited impact on the growing eSIM trend. Apple, however, continues to push for eSIM as the new standard, aiming to eliminate physical SIM cards in its future devices. With the anticipated release of the iPhone 18 Pro, questions remain about whether French mobile operators are ready to fully support eSIM-only phones. The rumor of an iPhone 18 Pro without a SIM tray in Europe first appeared on the Greek site TechManiacs and was later reported by several specialized media outlets, including iGeneration, in February 2026. Apple has not officially confirmed these details, and the iPhone 17 Pro sold in Europe still includes a nano-SIM tray. The final answer will be revealed during Apple’s keynote event on September 9. In France, several major and smaller mobile operators now offer eSIM options for customers who subscribe to mobile plans or wish to convert their physical SIM cards to eSIM. However, as of now, these operators have not yet rolled out eSIM support for all customers. Some, like La Poste Mobile, have announced plans to offer eSIM by September 2026, while others, such as YouPrice, NRJ Mobile, and Cdiscount Mobile, are expected to follow soon. Despite these efforts, most of these operators are considered minor players in the market. In theory, the French ecosystem is ready to support eSIM-only smartphones, but practical challenges remain. In practice, the process of installing eSIMs has been problematic. Last year, a test by Nicolas Lellouche from Numerama revealed issues such as cloning bugs, network failures with Orange eSIMs, and technical problems requiring new eSIM cards from Free. The process also involved complex steps with SFR and other operators, taking several minutes when it worked at all—compared to the quick and hassle-free insertion of a nano-SIM card. These challenges highlight the current limitations of eSIM adoption. Despite the iPhone Air’s commercial failure, it helped prepare the main mobile operators in France to support eSIMs. Orange, for instance, has been offering eSIMs since 2019 and is already ready for a 100% eSIM smartphone launch. It provides free conversion from physical SIM to eSIM, either through its online platform or by transferring connectivity between devices. Free and Bouygues Telecom also offered free eSIM activation for the iPhone Air, with Bouygues even waiving fees for customers who did not buy the phone directly from the operator. SFR, meanwhile, has positioned itself as a leader in eSIM support, offering simple activation methods and allowing eSIM transfers across different operating systems, which benefits Android users considering an iPhone. eSIM is slowly replacing physical SIM cards in France, offering advantages like instant activation without waiting for a card to arrive by mail, and the ability to switch between multiple mobile plans within the smartphone settings. This is especially useful for switching between personal, professional, or travel plans. While Apple is a major driver of this shift, all high-end smartphones now support eSIM in 2026, with only some entry-level models still lacking the technology. Although eSIM is becoming more common, it is too early to say that physical SIM cards will soon be obsolete. In Europe, most smartphones still use a hybrid SIM format, combining a physical nano-SIM with an eSIM, even though manufacturers would prefer to remove the SIM tray entirely to save space. From a user’s perspective, eSIM offers greater flexibility, but for mobile operators, the removal of the physical SIM could weaken their direct relationship with customers. This gap may be exploited by smartphone manufacturers, as seen in the U.S., where customers can now choose mobile plans directly through the App Store when purchasing an iPhone, bypassing traditional mobile operators. The September 9 keynote will clarify whether Europe is ready to fully transition to eSIM-only smartphones this year. While the four major French operators have the necessary infrastructure in place, some, like Orange, are cautious about losing direct customer relationships, even though they recognize the benefits of eSIM for user experience. The future of eSIM in Europe remains uncertain, but the trend is clearly moving toward its adoption.