Level 1

24 points

UK iPhone 17 Pro/Pro Max – eSIM-Only Availability and Battery Differences

I’m planning to upgrade this year due to some of the features, although I do have some questions about the different configurations.

In the US, all iPhone 17 models are eSIM-only, which reportedly allows for a larger battery. Granted this is the first year they've audibly announced this.

I wanted to confirm whether the same is true in the UK, or if the other models besides the Air still include a physical SIM tray. If there are both SIM-tray and eSIM-only variants available, I would also like to understand whether this affects the quoted battery life for each model.

My main goal is to ensure I choose a model with the maximum battery capacity. If no eSIM-only option is available in the UK, it would feel a bit disappointing to pay the same price for a slightly smaller battery, even if the difference is small. Any clarification you could provide would be greatly appreciated.

iPhone 16 Pro Max

Posted on Sep 9, 2025 02:06 PM

Top-ranking reply

lobsterghost1

Community+ 2025

Level 10

175,961 points

Posted on Sep 10, 2025 05:31 AM

Wantesim wrote:

Well I was going to go for the I phone 17 pro max but as its sim only and you cannot buy e sim in the uk I’m not upgrading what’s the point of paying the same price for a smaller inferior battery it’s near enough the same as last gen very annoying Apple.

You are misinformed. A UK variant iPhone 17 won't be SIM only. It WILL have a SIM Slot, but it will also have the ability to use eSim as well. And the comment that you'd be getting an inferior battery seems a bit extreme. It will be slightly smaller as a physical SIM tray does take some space away, but the battery could hardly be considered inferior. And really, do people consider only the battery size as a reason to upgrade? What about ALL the other terrific features on the new iPhones?

All four major UK mobile network operators — EE, O2, Three, and Vodafone, fully support eSIM functionality for compatible devices. In addition to these, several other providers offer eSIMs, including Giffgaff, Honest Mobile, iD Mobile, Lyca Mobile, Sky Mobile, Spusu, Tesco Mobile, and VOXI.

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55 replies

Sep 11, 2025 05:25 PM in response to BobMcBurger

From the Technical Specifications on Apple's U.S. Web site:

iPhone 17 Air. Video playback: Up to 27 hours / Up to 22 hours (streamed)
iPhone 17 Pro. Video playback: Up to 33 hours / Up to 30 hours (streamed)
iPhone 17 Pro Max. Video playback: Up to 39 hours / Up to 35 hours (streamed)
iPhone 17 Air with iPhone Air MagSafe battery. Video playback: Up to 40 hours / Up to 35 hours (streamed)

From the Technical Specifications on Apple's U.K. Web site:

iPhone 17 Air. Video playback: Up to 27 hours / Up to 22 hours (streamed)
iPhone 17 Pro. Video playback: Up to 31 hours / Up to 28 hours (streamed)
iPhone 17 Pro Max. Video playback: Up to 37 hours / Up to 33 hours (streamed)
iPhone 17 Air with iPhone Air MagSafe battery. Video playback: Up to 40 hours / Up to 35 hours (streamed)

Sep 11, 2025 05:30 PM in response to Bob Timmons

Bob Timmons wrote:

The end of the last comment from lobsterghost1 looks like this on my screen.

https://discussions.apple.com/content/attachment/3e7115e0-232b-447b-b100-1f789e578399

I cannot see a number or brackets here. Can you please post a screenshot of what you see regarding a number and brackets on your screen?

I think they were asking Niel and this is likely what they're referring too:

iPhone 17 units originally sold in the UK have a physical SIM card slot and about an hour less battery capacity than the USA ones. There isn't an option to get them without the slot.

(261276)

BobMcBurger Author

Level 1

24 points

Sep 12, 2025 03:42 AM in response to Bob Timmons

Of course. I only see this under Niel’s comments and nobody else’s.

You can see the number is greater on the comment posted on the 10th compared to the 9th. Hence why I assumed it was a tally, as more would have been posted by Niel here and elsewhere during the hours between.

[Edited by Moderator]

LD150

Level 10

95,727 points

Sep 12, 2025 04:24 AM in response to BobMcBurger

BobMcBurger wrote:

Buying a phone because of the battery is a completely valid reason, especially when you’re paying over a grand for it, and it doesn’t ignore all the other features the device offers.

Dismissing the slightly smaller battery on the UK models as trivial ignores that you could be getting an inferior device simply because of your region. People are entitled to consider specs like battery size when deciding whether an upgrade is worth it.

You have presumably been content with the situation for the last three or four years since iphone 14 was the first iphone to be eSIM-only in the States but dual SIM here in UK.

This is a non argument, but if you want an eSIM-only phone then I understood that the 17 Air is eSIM-only worldwide (someone tell me if i’m wrong)

Sep 12, 2025 04:34 AM in response to LD150

LD150 wrote:

This is a non argument, but if you want an eSIM-only phone then I understood that the 17 Air is eSIM-only worldwide (someone tell me if i’m wrong)

Your understanding is correct.

Introducing iPhone Air, a powerful new iPhone with a breakthrough design - Apple

"iPhone Air features an eSIM-only design that saves space internally, helping enable the unbelievably light and thin form factor."

portair

Level 1

18 points

Sep 12, 2025 04:38 AM in response to Wantesim

You r paying the same price but you get a physical sim tray. I wont buy any phone without that. Esim only phone are ridiculous. Imagine having to make a phone call to the operator if i want to change the sim to another phone i have, each and every time!

Sep 12, 2025 04:55 AM in response to portair

portair wrote:

You r paying the same price but you get a physical sim tray. I wont buy any phone without that. Esim only phone are ridiculous. Imagine having to make a phone call to the operator if i want to change the sim to another phone i have, each and every time!

I suspect most people don't need to do that very often.

Wantesim

Level 1

8 points

Sep 12, 2025 06:44 AM in response to portair

Vodafone uk you can change eSIM numbers through your account online without ringing anybody,All I want is to have an option from Apple to have the choice of a larger battery as 138 mAh battery upgrade is good but it’s not 408 mAh which is 2 hours more screen time which is a lot better for me.

Sep 12, 2025 06:47 AM in response to Wantesim

Wantesim wrote:

Vodafone uk you can change eSIM numbers through your account online without ringing anybody,All I want is to have an option from Apple to have the choice of a larger battery as 138 mAh battery upgrade is good but it’s not 408 mAh which is 2 hours more screen time which is a lot better for me.

Then tell Apple what you want --> Feedback - iPhone - Apple

It's not likely you'll get what you want, however.

Sep 12, 2025 08:05 AM in response to BobMcBurger

A comprehensive analysis has revealed that my initial assumptions and knowledge were entirely erroneous.

The country-specific specifications are provided below.

These specifications indicate that eSIM-only models (including those in the UAE) of the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max have a larger battery capacity (Size not clear) than those with a physical SIM tray.

Both the USA and UAE versions: iPhone 17 and iPhone Air models are activated with an eSIM and do not support a physical SIM. Using an eSIM requires a carrier that supports eSIM and a compatible wireless service plan. See your carrier for details. To learn more, visit apple.com/ae/esim.

USA --> iPhone 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max - Technical Specifications

iPhone 17 Pro Max

Video playback

Up to 39 hours

Video playback (streamed)

Up to 35 hours

UAE --> iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max - Apple (AE)

iPhone 17 Pro Max

Video playback

Up to 39 hours

Video playback (streamed)

Up to 35 hours

UK --> iPhone 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max - Technical Specifications

Power and Battery

iPhone 17 Pro Max

Video playback

Up to 37 hours

Video playback (streamed)

Up to 33 hours

India --> iPhone 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max - Technical Specifications

Power and Battery

iPhone 17 Pro Max

Video playback

Up to 37 hours

Video playback (streamed)

Up to 33 hours

LD150

Level 10

95,727 points

Sep 12, 2025 12:00 PM in response to Wantesim

Wantesim wrote:

Yes I did thank you I was talking about specs have you read what I have said I know Apple isn’t here it’s a USER community.

Difficult to follow when people join into an existing thread, just where you are coming from.

Also the weird default sort order the forum as Best means we need to make sure you have followed the argument so far.

LD150

Level 10

95,727 points

Sep 12, 2025 12:02 PM in response to LD150

Wantesim wrote:

Yes I did thank you I was talking about specs have you read what I have said I know Apple isn’t here it’s a USER community.

Difficult to follow when people join into an existing thread, just where you are coming from.

Also the weird default sort order the forum as Rank means we need to make sure you have followed the argument so far.

Sep 12, 2025 12:19 PM in response to Wantesim

All I want is to have an option from Apple to have the choice of a larger battery

That option does not exist at this time, but perhaps if you send feedback to Apple they will reconsider when they realize that it is you that is providing the feedback.

Feedback - iPhone - Apple

Sep 12, 2025 12:42 PM in response to Bob Timmons

Bob Timmons wrote:

All I want is to have an option from Apple to have the choice of a larger battery

That option does not exist at this time, but perhaps if you send feedback to Apple they will reconsider when they realize that it is you that is providing the feedback.

Feedback - iPhone - Apple

😂

Sep 13, 2025 04:36 AM in response to BobMcBurger

I saw there was a petition about this subject in Europe. I'm not going to upgrade to the iPhone 17 pro as long I can't buy an eSIM only version in Europe. At this price, I want the product I buy fully optimised.

UK iPhone 17 Pro/Pro Max – eSIM-Only Availability and Battery Differences