eSIM-Only Phones: Every Model With No SIM Tray (2026 List)

In the UK, only two phones have no SIM tray: Apple's iPhone Air and iPhone Duo, which are eSIM only worldwide. Many more phones are eSIM only when bought in certain countries, including US models of every iPhone since the iPhone 14 and US models of the Google Pixel 10 and Pixel 11. UK versions of those phones still have a nano-SIM slot. We could not verify any eSIM-only Android phone sold in the UK.

Last checked: 27 October 2026. We list only models we could confirm on the maker's own spec or support pages, or in reliable trade press. Always check the spec page for the exact model and country before you buy, especially for imported or second-hand phones.

Every eSIM-only phone we could verify

Release years are the year each model was announced. "2 active" means two lines can be in use at the same time. Only one line uses mobile data at a time, and you choose which.

Which iPhones are eSIM only?

Apple started removing the SIM tray with US models of the iPhone 14 in September 2022, saying it let customers "more quickly and easily set up their devices" (Apple). Since then:

• iPhone Air (2025) was Apple's first iPhone with no tray in any country. Apple says the eSIM-only design saves internal space for its thin body (Apple Newsroom).
• iPhone 17 range (2025) extended eSIM only beyond the US to Canada, Mexico, Japan and several Gulf countries. The iPhone 17e and iPhone 18 Pro follow the same pattern.
• iPhone Duo (2026), Apple's first foldable, "features an eSIM-only design worldwide that saves internal space to maximise battery capacity" (Apple Newsroom). It went on sale in the UK on 23 October 2026. Our iPhone Duo eSIM guide covers setup and travel in detail.

China mainland is the opposite case. Apple says only the iPhone Duo, iPhone 18 Pro, 18 Pro Max, 17e and Air support eSIM there, and some models sold in Hong Kong and Macao take two nano-SIMs. For more on the 2025 launch, see our article on the iPhone 17 and iPhone Air.

Are there eSIM-only Android phones?

Yes, but only in the US so far, as far as we could verify.

• Google Pixel 10 and Pixel 11: the standard, Pro and Pro XL models sold in the US have "Dual eSIM (two active eSIMs; stores eight or more eSIMs)" and no tray. Outside the US, including the UK, they have "Dual SIM (single nano-SIM and eSIM)" (Google).
• Pixel Pro Fold models: Google lists the Pixel 11 Pro Fold with a nano-SIM and eSIM in the US and the rest of the world. 9to5Google reported the same for the Pixel 10 Pro Fold.
• Pixel 10a: nano-SIM and eSIM everywhere, according to Google.
• Samsung Galaxy: we could not find a Samsung spec page confirming any eSIM-only Galaxy model, so we have left Samsung off the list. Some websites claim US Galaxy S26 or foldable models are eSIM only, but we could not verify this.

Bought a phone abroad? Check for a tray

This catches people out with phones bought in the US, Canada, Japan or the Gulf, and with grey imports sold online in the UK. A US iPhone 17 or Pixel 11 has no tray, so you can't use a UK SIM card in it. You will need an eSIM from your UK network, and the phone must not be locked to a US carrier. Check your network supports eSIM on your plan with our guide to which UK networks support eSIM.

To check a phone you already have, look for a SIM tray on the side, or dial *#06#. If an EID number appears, the phone supports eSIM. Our compatibility checker lists eSIM phones by model.

Travelling with an eSIM-only phone

With no SIM tray, you can't buy a local SIM card abroad and put it in. Instead, add a travel eSIM for data and keep your UK line for calls and texts. Install it on Wi-Fi before you leave, then switch your mobile data to it when you land. On 27 October 2026, SimplySIM plans included:

See the United States eSIM page or regional and global eSIMs. A travel eSIM is data only. For setup steps, read our Samsung and Pixel eSIM guide, and for the bigger picture on networks and phones dropping the SIM card, see going eSIM only in 2026.

FAQs

Which iPhones are eSIM only in the UK?

The iPhone Air and iPhone Duo. Every other current iPhone sold in the UK has a nano-SIM slot as well as eSIM.

Which iPhones have no SIM tray in the US?

Every model since the iPhone 14 range, including the iPhone 15, 16, 17 and 18 Pro ranges, the iPhone 16e and 17e, and the iPhone Air and iPhone Duo.

Are there any eSIM-only Android phones?

Yes, US models of the Google Pixel 10, 10 Pro, 10 Pro XL, 11, 11 Pro and 11 Pro XL. UK models of the same phones have a nano-SIM slot. We could not verify any eSIM-only Samsung phone.

Is the Pixel 11 eSIM only in the UK?

No. Google lists UK and other non-US Pixel 11 models with a single nano-SIM and eSIM. Only US models are eSIM only.

How many eSIMs can an eSIM-only phone hold?

The iPhone Air, iPhone Duo, US iPhone 17 and US Pixel 10 and 11 models can store eight or more eSIMs and use two at the same time.

Can I use a travel eSIM on a phone with no SIM tray?

Yes, as long as the phone is network-unlocked. Install the travel eSIM alongside your UK eSIM and set it as your mobile data line abroad.