iPhone 18 Series to Drop SIM Tray in Europe for Bigger Battery

eSIM shift to Europe

Apple is reportedly planning to drop the physical SIM tray in Europe for the upcoming iPhone 18 series, moving to an eSIM-only design to free internal space for a larger battery. A Techmaniacs report in Greek says the plan targets the iPhone 18 lineup, with the Pro Max variant potentially packing 5,100-5,200 mAh.

In markets outside the US, Apple has already moved toward eSIM offerings, while traditional SIM slots continued in many regions. The iPhone 17 models in select countries and regions did not support physical SIM cards, aligning with earlier steps toward digital SIM activation in some markets.

Apple has dropped the physical SIM tray in the US with the iPhone 14, and outside the US some models have appeared with both SIM slots and eSIM capabilities. Last year, Apple launched e-SIM-only iPhone 17 models in markets such as Japan, Canada and the UAE. Shifting to an eSIM-based activation would require users to activate mobile plans digitally with their carrier rather than inserting a physical SIM. The move could be inconvenient for users who swap SIM cards frequently, and in some regions issuing a new eSIM can carry additional charges from carriers.

Battery and chip upgrades

Over the past years, Apple has followed a battery philosophy that emphasizes tight hardware-software integration rather than chasing ever-larger capacities. The company has stressed efficient power management as part of its design language, a pattern that could extend into the iPhone 18 lineup. A report suggests the iPhone 18 models will combine a larger battery with improved chips and a refined modem.

The iPhone 18 lineup is expected to include an in-house C2 modem, which is said to offer more efficient transitions between cellular, Wi-Fi and satellite connections, further reducing unnecessary power drain. This approach would complement the battery gains and overall energy management strategy the company has pursued in recent years.

The move toward eSIM-based models in Europe aligns with a broader energy-management strategy and a growing emphasis on seamless digital activation for many carriers.

Key specifications are expected to include:

• Battery capacity: 5,100-5,200 mAh for the iPhone 18 Pro Max (rumored)
• In-house C2 modem for energy management
• eSIM-only design in Europe to free internal space
• Other models may have similar efficiency-focused updates without major design changes

The foldable factor

The iPhone 18 Pro Max may not be alone in crossing the 5,000 mAh threshold. Reports also point to Apple’s long-anticipated foldable iPhone, which could arrive as early as 2026 or 2027, featuring a battery capacity of around 5,500 mAh. Apple has reportedly approached the foldable category with caution, prioritising durability, display quality and hinge reliability — areas that have challenged competitors. Those engineering hurdles are believed to be a key reason the company has waited longer than rivals to enter the market.

Taken together — a larger battery, a more efficient chip and a refined modem — the picture that emerges is evolutionary rather than revolutionary. Apple appears to be reinforcing the foundations of battery life rather than redefining the smartphone outright. The shift to eSIM-based models in Europe aligns with a broader energy-management strategy, and the company is expected to announce the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max in September this year, alongside a foldable model. The standard iPhone 18 could go official next year, possibly alongside an iPhone Air.

The information in this report is based on a Techmaniacs article translated from Greek and other industry chatter. If confirmed, Apple would continue its hardware-software-systems approach to optimize power and space, while pursuing new form factors and connectivity options.