iPhone18 Pro, iPhone18 Pro Max, and iPhone Duo do not support physical SIM cards. Apple specified this on its Japanese technical specifications page.
The model released in Japan is no exception. You will no longer be able to replace the SIM card you are currently using.
All three models are “dual eSIM” only
Apple’s technical specifications say:
iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max feature advanced eSIM technology (no physical SIM cards) for greater convenience and security.
The same description is on the iPhone Duo specifications page, and all three models announced this time are eSIM-only.
It supports dual eSIM, which means you can enable two eSIMs at the same time and store more than 8 eSIMs. You can continue to use the same device for work and personal use, or add local lines when traveling.
Check whether your contracted line supports eSIM.
In a note to the technical specifications, Apple notes that “subscription to a communications service plan from a carrier that supports eSIM is required,” and that there may be restrictions on changing carriers and roaming.
Major carriers and major sub-brands are already compatible with eSIM, but some cheap SIM carriers only offer physical SIMs, and some plans only support eSIM. Before deciding on a replacement, it is safe to check whether the carrier you are contracting with offers an eSIM.
The transfer process itself is not difficult. We have previously explained the steps to transfer your iPhone’s eSIM after changing models. You can now migrate to iOS26 or later.
If you want to use two different lines, please refer to how to use dual SIM that combines Rakuten Mobile and povo. Even if you can’t insert one physical SIM, you can do the same thing with two eSIMs.
The view that there were two types before the announcement was no longer correct.
In June of this year, iPhone Mania reported that the iPhone 18 Pro would be available in two types: a model with a physical SIM card tray and an eSIM-only model. The idea is that they are created according to region.
As a result, this view was rejected. Apple writes, “Each iPhone 18 Pro model is activated using an eSIM,” and there is no differentiation by model.
Immediately before the announcement, images of what was said to be a three-color SIM tray were also circulating. This also means that it does not match the specifications of the actual machine.
The trend continues from last year’s iPhone Air
This change began last year in Japan. The iPhone Air was announced as an e-SIM, and the iPhone 17 series and iPhone Air were only sold as eSIM models in Japan.
Last year, it was all about the thin iPhone Air, but this year it has expanded to include the Pro series and foldable models. New iPhones that can use a physical SIM are no longer available in Japan.
Details of the products announced this time are summarized in the latest news on the iPhone 18 Pro series and the latest news on the folding iPhone.
Things to do before replacing
Pre-orders for the iPhone 18 Pro series will begin on Saturday, September 12th, and will be released on Friday, September 18th. iPhone Duo will be released on October 23rd, one month later. There are three things you should check before then:
- Does your carrier offer eSIM?
- Is there a fee or a store visit required to switch to eSIM?
- If I am using 2 lines, can both be used as eSIM?
If you want to start using the product immediately after receiving it on the release date, take care of these three points first so you don’t have any trouble on the day.
Source: Apple
Source: iPhone Mania
