It was thought that from 2023, iPhone 15 would no longer use a SIM card. Shortly afterwards, MacRumors received anonymous information that Apple was already in talks with major US operators and advised them to prepare for eSIM-only smartphones, which are expected to be available in September 2022. This information was confirmed via Twitter by a trusted anonymous Apple employee.
Removing the physical SIM card slot from a smartphone has several advantages from a manufacturing perspective. Firstly, there would be no need to manufacture a mechanism for removing and inserting the SIM card. In addition, its absence would free up some space inside. Having one less slot would make it easier to manufacture the frame, and removing the SIM card would make it easier to protect the smartphone from environmental influences such as water and dust.