Do iPhones Have SIM Cards? A Complete Guide (ALL MODELS)


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Never used an iPhone before? You might be wondering about whether or not iPhones have SIM cards. Here’s everything you need to know before you pull the trigger on a new iPhone…


The short answer to this question is, yes, all iPhones – new and old – have SIM cards.

A SIM card is required to connect to mobile services, things like data and the radio bands that make phone calls and texts possible.

And this is all made possible by the SIM card’s ICCID and IMSI number.

Apple’s choice of SIM cards for its iPhones has changed quite a bit of the years, as you can see below.

The original iPhone right up to the iPhone 3GS used a Mini SIM card. After the iPhone 3GS, Apple switched to Nano SIM cards, starting with the iPhone 4, and it still uses Nano SIM cards today inside its iPhone 12 range.

Different Types of SIM Cards Used In iPhones

iPhone ModelSIM Card Type
Original iPhoneMini SIM
iPhone 3GMini SIM
iPhone 3GSMini SIM
iPhone 4 (GSM)Micro SIM
iPhone 4SMicro SIM
iPhone 5Nano SIM
iPhone 5cNano SIM
iPhone 5sNano SIM
iPhone 6Nano SIM
iPhone 6 PlusNano SIM
iPhone 6sNano SIM
iPhone 6s PlusNano SIM
iPhone SENano SIM
iPhone 7Nano SIM
iPhone 7 PlusNano SIM
iPhone 8Nano SIM
iPhone 8 PlusNano SIM
iPhone XNano SIM
iPhone XSNano SIM & eSIM
iPhone XS MaxNano SIM & eSIM
iPhone XRNano SIM & eSIM
iPhone 11Nano SIM & eSIM
iPhone 11 ProNano SIM & eSIM
iPhone 11 Pro MaxNano SIM & eSIM
iPhone SE (2nd Gen)Nano SIM & eSIM
iPhone 12 miniNano SIM & eSIM
iPhone 12Nano SIM & eSIM
iPhone 12 ProNano SIM & eSIM*
iPhone 12 Pro MaxNano SIM & eSIM*

The only slight difference to how Apple uses SIM cards in its iPhones began with the release of the iPhone XS. Since the launch of the iPhone XS, Apple has supported e-SIM cards on its iPhones, so if you buy an iPhone that is the iPhone XS or newer, you will have support for e-SIM.

LEARN MORE: What is eSIM? A Complete Guide

Dual SIM & eSIM iPhones

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In addition to this, from the iPhone XS onwards, Apple also made the majority of its iPhones dual-SIM compatible which means you can run more than one SIM profile in the phone.

However, outside of China the secondary SIM card is handled exclusively via an eSIM. In China and Hong Kong, Apple ships iPhones with actual dual SIM slots, so two Nano SIM slots for two separate SIM cards.

Sadly, Apple does not to the same in the USA, Europe, or the UK. And this is a shame because it is a super-useful feature to have at your disposal.

Dual-SIM phones are great because you can have two numbers and two effectively profiles on the phone; one for work, the other for your private life. All of Apple’s latest iPhones support dual-SIM technology, so if you’re buying an iPhone from the last few years, it will support dual-SIM.

PRO TIP: How To Remove iPhone SIM without SIM Tray Tool

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Best SIM-Only Plans & Deals


  • Boost Mobile Unlimited Premium Plan

    Boost’s top-tier option brings the heat: 50GB of premium data, hotspot, North America roaming, global talk & text, and $430 off select devices. All-in at $60/month with no contract.

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    Data: Unlimited (50GB premium speed)

  • Boost Mobile Unlimited+ Plan

    Level up with 40GB of premium data, hotspot access, global calling, and up to $300 in device savings. All for just $50/month. No contracts and flexible phone options included.

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    Data: Unlimited; Speed Caps After 40GB

  • Boost Mobile Unlimited Plan

    Start strong with 30GB of premium data, unlimited everything, and a killer intro offer: just $15/month for the first 3 months, then $25/month forever. No contracts. No fluff. Big value.

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    Data: Unlimited (Speed Caps Over 30GB)

  • iD Mobile 1 Month SIM-Only: 108GB

    Another high-data, low-cost option with no contract. 108GB for just £9, full 5G access, and the same goodies you get with 12-month deals.

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    Data: 108GB

  • iD Mobile 1 Month SIM-Only: 20GB

    The lowest price option. 20GB for £6 with all the same perks as pricier plans. Great if you don’t use much data and want to save every penny.

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    Data: 20GB

  • iD Mobile 1 Month SIM-Only: 110GB

    This plan gives you big data and zero commitment. 110GB for just £10 with all perks intact. If you need more data but want the freedom to cancel, this is the one.

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    Data: 110GB

  • iD Mobile 1 Month SIM-Only: 60GB

    More data, same price. For just £8/month, you get 60GB on a no-strings 1-month rolling plan. Ideal for users who stream often but don’t want long commitments.

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    Data: 60GB

  • iD Mobile 1 Month SIM-Only: 40GB

    Perfect if you want full flexibility. You get 40GB and all of iD Mobile's perks with no lock-in, annual increases, or setup fees. Great for short-term users.

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    Data: 40GB

  • iD Mobile 12 Month SIM-Only: 60GB

    One of the best pound-per-GB plans around. You get 60GB for £8 with £25 cashback, which means you’re effectively paying closer to £6/month. Includes roaming and data rollover.

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    Data: 60GB

  • iD Mobile 12 Month SIM-Only: 108GB

    This deal gets you a healthy 108GB of 5G data for less than a tenner, with no upfront costs and £24 cashback. All the perks are included too: data rollover, roaming, and loyalty rewards.

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    Data: 108GB

  • iD Mobile 12 Month SIM-Only: Unlimited Data

    This iD Mobile plan doesn’t just compete on price, it’s up there with the best of them. Unlimited everything, a year-long lock-in with no price rises, and £42 cashback straight to your pocket. It’s like getting nearly 3 months free.

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    Data: Unlimited, No Speed Caps

  • Mint Mobile 20GB Plan

    If you're looking to save some cash on your bills, this plan is an awesome option. You'll get 20GB of data per month and 20GB hotspot data allowance. For moderate to heavy users, that should be more than enough. I seldom use more than 10GB of data a month, and I'm always using my phone

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    Data: 20GB