The iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max ship without a physical SIM tray in 12 countries and regions, including the United States, Canada, Japan and Mexico, Apple confirmed in its September 9 press release.
The eSIM-only models also carry Apple’s headline battery figures. The 36 hours of video playback quoted for the Pro and 45 hours for the Pro Max apply specifically to the eSIM-only versions, according to Apple’s iPhone 18 Pro announcement.
Full list of eSIM-only iPhone 18 Pro countries
| Country or region | Area |
|---|---|
| United States | North America |
| Canada | North America |
| Mexico | North America |
| Guam | US territory, Pacific |
| U.S. Virgin Islands | US territory, Caribbean |
| Japan | Asia |
| Bahrain | Middle East |
| Kuwait | Middle East |
| Oman | Middle East |
| Qatar | Middle East |
| Saudi Arabia | Middle East |
| United Arab Emirates | Middle East |
Every other market gets a model with a SIM tray. Apple lists battery figures only for the eSIM-only models and has not published separate numbers for versions sold with a tray.
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What eSIM-only means for travelers
An eSIM is a digital SIM activated through a carrier rather than a physical card. On the 12 eSIM-only models there is no slot, so a local physical SIM bought abroad cannot be inserted.
- Buyers in the 12 markets above need an eSIM plan from their carrier or a travel eSIM provider when roaming
- Buyers elsewhere get a SIM tray and can keep using physical cards
- The C2 modem supports mmWave 5G in the US; Apple has not said whether mmWave is offered elsewhere
- iPhone Handoff in iOS 27 is carrier-dependent, so support will vary by country
Apple has not published carrier compatibility details by country, so travelers should confirm eSIM support with their carrier before buying an eSIM-only model.
Battery and modem on the eSIM-only models
Apple’s C2 modem uses 15 percent less energy than the C1X, which contributes to the battery figures above. Apple describes the Pro Max figure of 45 hours of video playback as up to 30 hours of use on a full charge.
Charging is quick on both models: 50 percent in about 15 minutes wired and 50 percent in 30 minutes wireless. Five minutes on a cable gives the Pro Max about seven hours of video playback.
Pre-orders open Saturday, September 12 at 5 a.m. PT. Availability begins Friday, September 18 in more than 65 countries and regions, with 20 more countries on Friday, September 25. Apple has not published the full launch-country list, and our pre-order guide and event live blog will be updated as details arrive.
