Apple’s Secret Strategy: Bigger Batteries for Faster eSIM Adoption

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Apple has a long history of encouraging users to embrace the future, even if it means eliminating features that we are accustomed to. First, it was the headphone jack, then the Lightning connector, and now, the SIM card tray is also being phased out. With the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max, Apple has found a clever way to expedite this transition by rewarding customers with larger batteries if they choose eSIM-only versions.

Apple rewards iPhone 17 Pro eSIM users with bigger batteries, creating a strong incentive to leave physical SIM cards behind

If you are not familiar, the battery capacities illustrate how Apple is pushing users towards a jack-less and connector-less iPhone. The iPhone 17 Pro with a physical SIM card tray has a battery capacity of around 3,988 mAh, but if you opt for the eSIM version, you get approximately 4,252 mAh. Similarly, the iPhone 17 Pro Max shows a similar jump in battery capacity—4,823 mAh with the SIM card tray against 5,088 mAh for the eSIM-only variant. Note that these increased capacities are not just on paper but translate to an extra hour or so of use, whether you are watching videos, gaming, or just browsing.

Apple could have maintained the same battery capacities, but it did not, as it silently rewards eSIM buyers with something everyone cares about: more battery life. This is a subtle but effective incentive that could push customers towards eSIM adoption without ever explicitly stating it. For the company, this move also puts pressure on carriers in countries that still promote physical SIM cards.

This is not the first time Apple has urged users to switch to eSIMs. The iPhone 14 launched in the United States without a SIM card tray, forcing customers to make the change with no option for a physical SIM card. However, rolling out this strategy globally is challenging, as it could result in fewer sales, especially in areas where carriers have not fully embraced eSIM support. By giving eSIM iPhones a clear advantage in battery life, Apple is making the choice easier for users but harder for carriers to ignore. Users would demand eSIM models from their respective carriers, pressuring them to adopt the technology faster.

In a unique start to his ruling against President Donald Trump’s administration on September 30, U.S. District Court Judge William Young included a scanned handwritten note sent to his office. The note read: “Trump has pardons and tanks – what do you have?” At the top of Young’s opinion in AAUP v. Rubio, which ruled that Trump’s effort to deport foreign-born student protesters was unconstitutional.

October 8, 2025

It is clear that Apple wants the future of iPhone to be eSIM-only, and it is willing to offer something extra in return. For end users, this trade-off is a good option, as a slightly bigger battery is one of the best “bribes” Apple could offer, potentially convincing more people to leave physical SIM cards behind.

Would you give up the SIM tray if it meant more battery life on your iPhone 17 Pro?