The tech scene has been abuzz with news about the launch of the most recent iPhone, the iPhone 18.
Apple revealed the high-end flagship models of the iPhone 18, the iPhone 18 Pro and the iPhone 18 Pro Max, at the special event held on September 9 at the Steve Jobs Theatre, Apple Park.
The high-end flagship models will be available for pre-order on Saturday, September 12.
As for the base model, the iPhone 18, it might not be available for purchase until early 2027.
Regardless, we’ve put together some interesting things about the iPhone 18, particularly regarding the eSIM part. Continue reading!
What’s New in the iPhone 18?
iPhones have always been innovative, and this launch is no different.
The latest iPhones, the iPhone 18 Pro and the iPhone 18 Pro Max, have a whole bunch of cool features that make upgrading from previous generations absolutely worth it.
- An Upgraded A20 Pro Chip: The A20 Pro chip is expected to be faster and deliver better performance while still being power-efficient.
- More RAM: Initial reports suggested that the iPhone 18 could come with 9 GB of RAM. However, most recent reports say that all variants, including the iPhone 18 Pro, could have 12 GB of RAM. We’re yet to see the final number, as Apple hasn’t listed the amount of RAM on its website.
- Better Camera: The iPhone 18 Pro comes with a variable-aperture camera that offers better control over depth of field and takes impressive low-light photos. Both variants come with 18 MP front-facing centre stage cameras. As for the primary cameras, both models are said to come with 48 MP ultrawide lenses with 4X optical zoom.
- Smaller Dynamic Island: The Dynamic Island is smaller while still allowing users to easily toggle between three live tasks.
- Brighter Display: The iPhone 18 Pro has a 6.3-inch screen, and the iPhone 18 Pro Max features a 6.9-inch screen. Both models have OLED displays.
- Vibrant Colour Choices: The latest iPhone 18 models come in a choice of attractive colours, namely Black, Silver, Glacier and Burgundy.
- Improved Battery: The iPhone 18 Pro has a 4056 mAh battery, while the iPhone 18 Pro Max comes with a 5391 mAh battery. These are considerably bigger than the battery sizes of the iPhone 17 Pro and the iPhone 17 Pro Max.
Is the iPhone 18 eSIM Only?
The US variants of iPhones have been eSIM-only for a while. This has been true since the launch of the iPhone 14.
After the event, it has been confirmed that the US variants of the iPhone 18 Pro and the iPhone 18 Pro Max are eSIM-only.
However, there have been rumours that European versions could be similar to the US variants, meaning the UK version of the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max could be eSIM-only.
The latest announcement has changed that. The eSIM-only variants of the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max will be available in Bahrain, Canada, Guam, Japan, Kuwait, Mexico, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, the U.S. Virgin Islands and the US.
Other regions, especially Europe, have been sticking to the traditional one physical SIM card slot and one eSIM and will continue to do so.
How to Set Up an eSIM on iPhone 18
Now that you know about the latest iPhone and eSIM support, let’s find out how you can activate an eSIM on an iPhone.
It’s important to remember that eSIM setup has been the same for a few years now. The current version of iOS (iOS 26) introduced the ability to transfer more than one number between devices and to automatically populate setup fields through carrier apps. You can expect the same feature in iOS 27.
This also means that the steps to activate an eSIM aren’t going to be very different.
Before you start with the eSIM activation process, here are some things you’ll need.
- An iPhone that is not carrier-locked
- A stable internet connection, preferably Wi-Fi
- An active mobile plan
Follow the steps below to activate an eSIM on your iPhone.
Step 1: Connect your iPhone to a stable internet connection.
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Step 2: Look for an activation QR code from your operator. This is usually found in the order confirmation email you receive after purchasing a plan. In some instances, the QR code can be found in the accounts section.
Step 3: Scan the QR code using your iPhone’s Camera app. The Code Scanner app is also useful here.
Step 4: Follow the prompts that appear on the screen. Your eSIM will be installed, and you can start using the benefits associated with your mobile plan.
There is one exception. Some operators may require you to download their app to install the eSIM. In such cases, you will skip the QR code scanning part and activate the eSIM.
Conclusion
The iPhone 18 Pro and the iPhone 18 Pro Max have been officially launched, and everyone is excited to get their hands on one. The iPhone Duo, Apple’s first-ever foldable smartphone, has also been announced.
The good news is that all these devices offer eSIM support. This makes it easy to switch between operators and activate lines without swapping SIM cards or visiting a store.
This eSIM activation guide for the iPhone 18 and iPhone 18 Pro Max will help you get your eSIM up and running in no time. Just connect to the internet, scan the QR code, and that’s it, you’re done!