The iPhone 15 you buy in the UK has a hidden difference to US handsets (2024)

FAQs

The iPhone 15 you buy in the UK has a hidden difference to US handsets? ›

It's not the only difference between iPhones in the UK and the US. Handsets bought in the US don't have a SIM-card tray either. Instead, Americans have to use eSIM, which doesn't require a physical SIM card. Across the rest of the world, owners still have a SIM card tray and have the added option of eSIM too.

The phone will work in the U.K. if your carrier supports eSIM. If you buy a phone in the U.S., it will have no warranty in the U.K.

All iPhone models that support eSIM can have multiple eSIMs and use Dual SIM with two active SIMs at the same time. You can use Dual SIM by using a physical SIM and an eSIM. iPhone 13 models and later also support two active eSIMs. iPhone models without a physical SIM tray support two active eSIMs.

Watch Out: With iPhone 13, There Are Now 5 Different iPhone Models by Country. Apple has always had different global models of the iPhone, but now there are more than ever.

The iPhone 15 is eSIM-only in the United States. This follows the launch of the iPhone 14, which was the first Apple device to be eSIM-only in a particular region.

It's not the only difference between iPhones in the UK and the US. Handsets bought in the US don't have a SIM-card tray either. Instead, Americans have to use eSIM, which doesn't require a physical SIM card. Across the rest of the world, owners still have a SIM card tray and have the added option of eSIM too.

Unless you're a gamer or are aware of a specific limitation of the A16 Bionic, you'll be fine with the iPhone 15. The one extra thing we would add, though, is that the USB-C port on the 15 Pro is a faster version, with the A17 Pro unlocking USB 3.0 speeds for much quicker data transfers.

SIM Card. iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus use eSIM technology and are not compatible with physical SIM cards.

To use Dual SIM, you need iOS 12.1 or later, two nano-SIM cards and one of these iPhone models: iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max. iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 14 Pro Max. iPhone 13, iPhone 13 Pro, iPhone 13 Pro Max.

Which country has the best quality iPhone? ›

iPhone are designed by Apple Inc. in California and produced in China or India under their direct supervision and highest standards of quality control. Therefore, all iPhones come with same quality and material so it is doesn't really matter where you are buying these from.

The hardware is the same. The software is largely the same, but there are regional variants. Some features are enabled or disabled only in certain jurisdictions or for certain carriers. As an example, iPhones sold in the UAE do not have FaceTime on them.

China – As the world's most populous country, China holds immense potential for smartphone manufacturers. Data from Q4 2020 revealed that China accounted for nearly 68.4 million iPhone users (Source: Statista).

Tech specs on Apple's website confirm that all four iPhone 15 models remain compatible with nano-SIM cards in countries such as the U.K., France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, Sweden, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, China, Singapore, Turkey, and everywhere else they are sold.

Depending on which iPhone you're upgrading from, your new iPhone 15 might be your first experience using an embedded SIM card (eSIM). eSIMs are easier and more flexible than traditional plastic SIM cards, and they make it easy to hop onto different networks.

Apple has removed the physical SIM slot for the iPhone 14 and 15 for US customers.

It will work anywhere in the world that supports eSIMs if you want to use a local SIM. If it is a relatively short visit you may be better off with an international roaming plan from your carrier. The major US carriers all now have reasonably priced roaming plans.

The iPhone 15 range mirrors that of the 14, with a standard 6.1in model (£799); a 6.7in Plus version (£899); and more powerful Pro incarnations with the same screen sizes (£999 and £1,199). All four will have USB-C connectors when they release on 22 September.

If you want to power the iPhone from a UK power outlet you'll need a Type G USB power plug adapter and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable - this USB cable is typically supplied with your iPhone.

So yes, a US-bought iPhone will work in the UK – provided it isn't locked to a US network. Be sure to buy a SIM-free version if you do buy abroad. You should also take into account warranty considerations, however, and should anything go wrong it will cost you a lot more to send it back to the US for repair.