Perhaps the largest shift to date for travelers is brought on by the new iPhone 14 series.
And no, I'm not necessarily referring to the improved performance or the updated cameras; I will, however, touch on those enhancements in a later paragraph.
The real SIM card slot has been removed, which is a modest adjustment that will nonetheless have long-term effects for users who are constantly on the move.
If you're not familiar, a SIM (subscriber identity module) card is a tiny chip that, in essence, links your phone number with the network of your cellular operator.
Apple has offered iPhone models with a SIM card slot for the past 15 years.
While some smartphone users may only access the SIM tray once during the initial activation process, international tourists and readers place a great deal of value on this slot.
This is due to the fact that purchasing a local SIM card is becoming a common strategy to avoid paying exorbitant roaming fees while traveling.
Are Apple's newest flagship handsets, the iPhone 14 models, which lack a SIM card slot, actually a step backward for the company?
To discover out, I've been spending the past three days traveling with the iPhone 14 family.
Adding a"e" in a SIM card
The tech giant is betting all on eSIM, a relatively new digital SIM card standard, in place of the physical SIM card slot.
Apple still provides a traditional SIM card slot for individuals who prefer using a chip, but these embedded SIM cards first appeared on the iPhone XS line.
The physical SIM slot is being removed from this year's iPhone 14 models sold in the United States.
As the eSIM standard gains acceptance around the world, I predict that the IT behemoth will also implement this move in other areas.
With eSIM, you don't have to worry about managing a real SIM card, which can be challenging when you're traveling the world with many chips for various carriers.
Despite my best attempts to keep the 9-by-12-millimeter SIM cards in a secure pocket in my backpack, I've lost a couple of them over the years.
Physical SIM cards are also less secure; if your phone is lost or stolen, someone might take it out and use your phone number to make calls, send texts, and receive two-factor authentication tokens.
The most recent iPhone 14 models can store at least eight eSIMs on a single smartphone with to digital SIM card technology, which should be plenty for most journeys.
You may be able to fit a lot more eSIMs on your phone, depending on the size of the SIM card profile.
As part of a useful dual SIM functionality that originally emerged in 2018, you can even utilize two eSIMs at once.
This feature is quite appealing to me.
I frequently purchase a local SIM card when I'm traveling or join Google Fi to access less expensive global data.
I can continue using Verizon, my main U.S. carrier, without paying the daily TravelPass fee of $10 at the same time.
The eSIM is developing.
Apple introduced eSIMs to its line of smartphones when the technology was still in its infancy.
In the past, when I was attempting to get mine activated, I recall spending hours on the phone with Verizon.
Finding a Verizon agent who was knowledgeable with eSIM was step one in this procedure. Step two involved asking the agent to send a QR code to your email for digital activation.
Generally speaking, this process was unsuccessful.
In reality, my account was previously frozen after numerous unsuccessful efforts to activate it, so I had to go to a Verizon store to get a genuine SIM card.
Therefore, I was alarmed when Apple announced at its "Far Out" special presentation that the physical SIM card slot was going away (and blocked out extra time on my calendar on launch day for possible issues with the activation process).
Having said that, my worries were misplaced; activating the eSIM was quite simple.
Apple has collaborated with several of the largest wireless carriers in the globe over the past year to implement a new digital SIM card transfer method that debuted with the newly launched iOS 16 operating system.
I was asked whether I wanted to transfer my phone number from my old iPhone when I activated my new iPhone 14 Pro Max.
My phone number was digitally ported to the new iPhone just a few clicks and one press of the power button on my old phone; no physical SIM card, paper clips, or microscope were necessary.
This functionality is supported by all three of the major wireless providers in the United States (AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon), and many other international carriers have also embraced this technology.
The entire list is available in Apple's dedicated support article.
Thanks to a new technology known as "Carrier Activation," your iPhone can even come pre-configured with your eSIM profile if you're activating a phone with a new carrier.
Selecting a global carrier
When setting up an eSIM service in the United States may be simple, doing so while going abroad is a little more.
There are three methods for establishing a connection to global mobile networks.
You can use your primary home carrier while traveling, get a local SIM card, or sign up for a plan through a global service provider.
The first option is the easiest to use and requires little to no additional preparation, but depending on the length of your trip and the specifics of your plan, your expenses could mount quickly.
Of course, it's important to remember that a lot of T-Mobile plans offer limitless overseas data.
Using Google Fi is an additional choice because it provides far more affordable overseas service than other U.S. carriers.
Additionally, you have the flexibility to pause and resume your Fi service as needed based on your travel plans.
Easy eSIM activation are supported by Google Fi and T-Mobile.
I was given instructions to visit a web page, scan a QR code, and wait a short while for the service to activate when I tried to add my Google Fi line to my new iPhone.
Overall, activating an eSIM was no more difficult than doing so with a traditional SIM card for the first time.
You should look at Apple's list of more than 400 wireless operators that accept eSIM if you prefer to use a local SIM card when you travel.
I anticipate that eSIM support from international carriers will increase over the next few weeks and months. Many of these businesses have locations in the arrivals areas of major airports.
That said, it's clear that in regions of the world where this technology isn't available, Apple's switch to iPhones that only accept eSIMs will be difficult.
In those circumstances, I'd advise looking into global service providers who supply data-only eSIMs for overseas travel.
I've lately experienced great success with Airalo, a business that offers digital, data-only eSIMs for more than 190 nations worldwide.
I downloaded an Airalo eSIM card while I was in France last week and added it to my iPhone without going into a store or speaking to a ground-based representative.
I spent $15 to get 5 gigabytes of 5G data.
That would have cost $100 with Verizon, whereas it would have cost $50 with Google Fi.
Just keep in mind that, in most cases, these online carriers only provide international data packages, so if you need to make phone calls, you'll need to stick to internet-based apps like FaceTime and WhatsApp.
Dynamic Island comes next.
The way you connect to the mobile network is the biggest travel-related change with the iPhone 14 family, but there are other improvements that will make using your device while traveling simpler, faster, and safer.
The new Dynamic Island, which is only accessible on the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max, is where it all begins.
Each phone now has a new "hole-and-pill" cutout for the front-facing camera and sensors in place of the black "notch" that was previously present at the top of each device.
When you turn on your device, the cutouts are combined into a single, bigger, pill-shaped cutout using software.
This Dynamic Island, in contrast to the notches on prior iPhones, is a smart hub that re imagines the notification experience on your device.
The main impact on travelers will be that time-sensitive notifications, such as tracking your Lyft journey or obtaining turn-by-turn directions, will now be more prominently shown at the top of the screen, regardless of whatever app is now in the foreground.
Despite the fact that Apple has done a good job of integrating the Dynamic Island with its first-party applications (my personal favorite is the new "Now Playing" panel), the technology is still in its early stages, so it will take some time for developers to add support for this new notification style.
The camera trio improves
Apple tends to make significant advancements in smartphone camera technology every year, and these latest models, particularly the Pro-level smartphones, are no exception.
I've previously traveled with the 14 Pro Max model to Boston and Kansas City, where I recorded video of some jets and a brand-new airport terminal.
The quality of the photos is excellent, especially after I switched to using ProRAW on the primary camera.
Although the 48-megapixel picture was about 70 megabytes in size, I had plenty of room to crop closely and experiment with the exposure and color settings without losing any details.
The front-facing camera also seems to have received enhancements.
Having auto focus made it much simpler to quickly take a selfie while on my Kansas City hard-hat tour.
The new Action Mode video stabilization function really impressed me, even though I haven't fully experienced the low-light improvements yet.
Without the aid of a gimbal, you will be able to record videos that seem professional even when your hands shake, roll, or move when Action Mode is activated.
Just keep in mind that this feature only allows for 2.8K quality and needs a lot of light.
That being said, it has the potential to revolutionize the game for travelers and hotel reviewers who want to record video material without dragging around gimbals.
Help is now only a tap away.
Finally, the introduction of two significant new safety tools is another significant travel-related feature.
With the first, Emergency SOS via Satellite, you can contact emergency services even if your phone isn't connected to a cellular network.
The service will debut in November with initial coverage in the United States and Canada.
Even models of the iPhone 14 sold abroad are compatible with this.
Therefore, assistance is never too far away, whether you're camping in the wilderness or trekking in a national park.
Additionally, even when you are off the grid, you may update your Find My position using satellite connectivity.
In this manner, even if they are unable to phone or text you, friends and relatives back home may still track your path.
Crash Detection is another modern safety element that might save a life.
This determines if you've been in an automobile accident using the iPhone's upgraded gyroscope, barometer, and accelerometer.
If so, your device will immediately offer to put you in touch with emergency services in a matter of taps.
The device will automatically phone 911 and alert your emergency contacts if you don't react within 10 seconds.
In conclusion
The most recent iPhones from Apple continue to include enhancements that travelers will value.
The removal of the SIM card slot is the first step.
You won't have to fumble around with those small SIM cards while you're traveling abroad because the tech giant is embracing the digital eSIM standard.
While some travelers voiced their displeasure with Apple's decision right away, I've had no trouble switching my domestic and foreign service providers to eSIMs.
Staying connected at many of the most well-known foreign tourist locations shouldn't be a problem as many cellular providers provide affordable international service via an iOS app and eSIM.
Once your phone is linked, you'll benefit from a number of improvements, including clearer pictures and more expert movies from the upgraded cameras, as well as a better notification experience with the new Dynamic Island.
Additionally, you'll feel more secure knowing that assistance is only a tap away during an off-the-grid trip or after a car accident.
The combination of these technologies makes Apple's new iPhone 14 series the biggest advancement in travel technology to date.
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