The Future is Digital, Whether You Like It or Not
It seems that Apple, in its infinite wisdom, has decided that we have played enough with those little pieces of plastic that we like to lose under the couch. Given the imminent arrival of the iPhone 17, the apple firm has put the ax where it hurts most: in the SIM card slot. Because what better way to innovate than by eliminating something that has been working perfectly well for decades?
That’s right, dear user. Your days of desperately searching for a paper clip to open that magic little tray are over. Now, your shiny new iPhone 17, in all its variants including the Pro and the Pro Max, will come with one mission: to force you into the world of the eSIM, whether you like it or not. The official excuse, of course, is the most noble. The Pro Max model, with that more powerful battery that promises to outlast your willingness to not check social media, needed living space. And guess what was the first thing to be sacrificed on the altar of minimalist design. Exactly, the humble SIM slot.
But let’s not think badly. It is not just a forced strategy to sell us a new technology; It is a bold vision. A firm commitment to a tomorrow where changing operators is as simple as clicking a button… as long as that operator has the infrastructure, the will and the knowledge to do so, of course. A minor detail, without a doubt.
The eSIM: Your New Best Friend (Or Not)
The Embedded SIM, or eSIM for friends, is basically a chip integrated into the phone. A digital SIM that does everything that physics did, but without the romance of being able to hold it in your hand. Its advantages, they tell us, are overwhelming. You can switch between carriers seamlessly (in theory), use two numbers at the same time (great for your personal life and that other life no one needs to know about), and manage eight or more eSIMs (just in case you have eight different identities, who are we to judge).
And we cannot forget the argument of security. In the event of theft, the thief will not be able to simply remove the chip and disconnect you from the world. Because, as we all know, today’s criminals are tech-savvy and would never think of formatting the device or turning it off. A triumph for justice!
Of course, it also has its “small” disadvantages. Do you want to change devices and keep your phone number? What was once a procedure of minutes can now become a digital odyssey, since the eSIM is linked to the serial number of your iPhone. Nothing that a couple of calls to customer service, an hour on hold, and a little luck can’t solve.
The Panorama in Mexico: Are We Ready?
Since this technology arrived in Mexico in 2019, operators have been “striving” to adopt it. They have made such an effort that, by the end of 2024, they would already cover the astronomical figure of 9.5 million lines, according to the firm ‘The Competitive Intelligence Unit’ (CIU). A drop in the ocean of the more than 130 million mobile lines in the country. A resounding success!
But fear not, citizen of the future. If you venture to buy one of these new devices at the Apple Event, there are different options to obtain your eSIM. Here we present them to you, with all the sarcasm they deserve:
By operator activation: Available with AT&T. Basically, it depends on the goodwill and efficiency of the representative who assists you. What could go wrong?
By quick transfer: An option available with AT&T and the always reliable Telcel. It’s supposed to be ideal for switching iPhones painlessly, promising that you’ll be able to keep your number without having to talk to a human. It sounds like science fiction.
By QR code or operator app: You can try this method with AT&T, Movistar and Telcel. Scan a code that is hopefully not corrupted or pixelated. Or download an app that is hopefully up to date and working. The emotion of chance!
The pre-sale of the new iPhone 17 begins on Friday, September 12 at 6 am (Central Mexico time). The general sale, a week later. You have all that time to psych yourself up and say a fond farewell to your old physical SIM. She understood you. She never complicated your life.
Ready to take the digital leap you didn’t ask for? Share this gem of sarcastic information with those brave people who are considering buying the new iPhone 17. And if you want to continue laughing at the absurd technological decisions of the future, explore more of our related content. Laughter is the best way to deal with mandatory change.
