Which iPhones Have eSIM and Physical SIM? Complete Guide

Can You Use eSIM and Physical SIM on an iPhone at the Same Time?

Yes. Any iPhone with a SIM tray and eSIM support can run both at once, which Apple calls Dual SIM. You get two phone numbers on one handset, and both can make and receive calls, send texts, and use iMessage and FaceTime. It’s handy if you juggle work and personal numbers, or want to add a cheap travel eSIM without pulling out your Aussie SIM.

A few rules are worth knowing before you set it up:

• Only one line uses mobile data at a time. You pick which one, and you can turn on Allow Mobile Data Switching so data follows the line you’re on a call with.
• Both numbers stay on standby. However, if you’re on a call on one line, calls to the other may go to voicemail unless Wi-Fi Calling is switched on.
• You can label each line. Personal, Work or Travel labels make it easy to choose a default number for calls, texts and iMessage.
• Two different providers need an unlocked iPhone. A carrier-locked phone won’t accept another provider’s SIM or eSIM.

That last point catches plenty of people out. If you’re planning to mix networks, buying one of the many unlocked phones available locally saves you a call to your carrier later. Apple’s own Dual SIM guide also walks through the setup screens if you want the official version.

What iPhone Models Support eSIM and Physical SIM in Australia?

Every iPhone from the 2018 iPhone XR, XS and XS Max onwards supports a physical nano-SIM and an eSIM in its Australian version. That covers the iPhone 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16 families, the second and third-generation iPhone SE, the iPhone 16e and 17e, the full iPhone 17 line-up and the newer iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max.

The key word there is “Australian”. From the iPhone 14 onwards, US models dropped the SIM tray completely, and the iPhone 17e is eSIM only in the US, Canada, Japan and parts of the Middle East. Some Hong Kong and mainland China models go the other way, using two physical SIM slots instead of eSIM. An imported phone can look identical to a local one, so this matters most when you’re buying second-hand iPhones from private sellers or overseas listings.

Complete iPhone eSIM + Physical SIM Compatibility Table

Imported models may differ. US versions from the iPhone 14 onwards have no SIM tray.

If you’ve found a model in this table that suits you, it pays to check if it's an Australian version before you buy a refurbished iPhone. That way you know exactly which SIM setup you’re getting, and you won’t be caught short when you want to pop in a physical SIM.

Which iPhones Are eSIM Only in Australia?

Only two iPhones sold in Australia skip the SIM tray entirely: the iPhone Air and the iPhone Duo. Every other current model keeps the nano-SIM slot alongside eSIM.

The iPhone Air arrived in September 2025 as Apple’s thinnest iPhone, and it was the first one sold here without a SIM slot. Dropping the tray freed up internal space in a very slim body, and the phone is eSIM-only in every country. If that featherweight design appeals, Mobile Guru has the refurbished iPhone Air, with stock and pricing changing as units come through.

The iPhone Duo is Apple’s first foldable. Pre-orders opened on 16 October 2026 and it reached Australian stores on 23 October, again with no physical SIM.

Going eSIM-only changes a few everyday habits. Your provider has to support eSIM (nearly all of them do now), and moving to a new phone means transferring your eSIM rather than swapping a card. You also can’t borrow a mate’s SIM in a pinch. On the plus side, travel is easier, because you can store several eSIMs and switch between them without carrying a single plastic card.

Which iPhones Don’t Support eSIM at All?

Any iPhone released before the XR and XS takes a physical SIM only. That includes:

• iPhone X
• iPhone 8 and 8 Plus
• iPhone 7 and 7 Plus
• iPhone 6s and 6s Plus
• iPhone SE (1st gen)
• Every earlier iPhone

These phones can only run one number at a time and can’t use travel eSIMs. They’re also stuck on older software, as none of them get updates beyond iOS 16. They still work as basic single-SIM handsets, but they miss out on the flexibility newer models offer.

One thing to watch: the iPhone X series name covers phones on both sides of the line. The original iPhone X has no eSIM, while the XR, XS and XS Max that followed it do. If you’re browsing the refurbished iPhone X series, check the exact model before you buy.

If you’re still using one of these older handsets and fancy an upgrade, you can sell your old iPhone and put the cash towards a newer model with Dual SIM.

How Many eSIMs Can Your iPhone Store and Use at Once?

Most iPhones can store more eSIMs than they can use at the same time. The real limit is active lines, and that depends on your model.

Older Dual SIM models let you keep several eSIM profiles saved, but only one eSIM can run alongside your physical SIM. From the iPhone 13 onwards, Apple added Dual eSIM, so you can run two eSIMs together with the SIM tray empty.

Even on the newest iPhones, two active lines are the ceiling. Having a physical SIM plus two eSIMs installed doesn’t give you three working numbers; you choose which two stay on. For travellers, that usually means keeping your Australian number active for calls and texts while a travel eSIM handles data overseas.

How to Check If Your iPhone Supports eSIM and Physical SIM

Not sure what your iPhone can do? These checks take less than a minute:

1. Check About in Settings. Go to Settings > General > About and scroll down. If you see a Digital SIM section with an EID number, your iPhone supports eSIM.
2. Dial *#06#. Your iPhone will show its IMEI numbers and, on eSIM models, its EID. Two IMEIs mean the phone handles two lines.
3. Look for the SIM tray. Check the side edge for a small slot with a pinhole. No tray means an eSIM-only model, such as the iPhone Air, iPhone Duo or a US iPhone from the 14 onwards.
4. Open your mobile settings. Go to Settings > Mobile (Mobile Service on newer iOS versions) and look for Add eSIM. If it’s there, eSIM is ready to use.
5. Confirm the model number. In Settings > General > About, tap the model number until it shows a code starting with “A”. Searching that code tells you whether it’s an Australian, US or other regional version.

The model number check is the most useful one when you’re buying second-hand, because it settles any doubt about imports. Once you’ve confirmed eSIM support, our guide on how to use eSIM on iPhone covers activation and switching between your physical SIM and eSIM.

Australian Mobile Carrier eSIM Compatibility for iPhone

eSIM is now mainstream in Australia. WhistleOut’s October 2026 eSIM comparison lists 28 providers offering eSIM plans, including Telstra, Optus and Vodafone. Most smaller providers caught up once eSIM-only iPhones started arriving.

Before switching to eSIM, check that your specific plan offers it, since some prepaid and business plans work differently. If you’re moving between providers, your iPhone also needs to be unlocked. Every major provider still offers physical SIMs too, so you can keep one of each if you’d rather not go fully digital yet.

Pick the iPhone That Matches Your SIM Setup

For most Aussies, the decision is pretty simple. If you like having a physical SIM as a backup, any iPhone from the XR through to the 18 Pro Max gives you both options. If you’d rather go all-digital and want the slimmest or newest design, the iPhone Air and iPhone Duo are built for eSIM. And if you want two eSIMs running together, aim for an iPhone 13 or newer.

Mobile Guru’s refurbished iPhones cover most of the models in the table above, so you can choose your SIM setup without paying new-release prices. Not set on Apple? Plenty of Samsung and Google Pixel handsets also pair eSIM with a physical SIM, and you can compare Dual SIM phones across brands. Got an old handset sitting in a drawer? You can sell your phone and put that money towards your next one.