Apple Inc. revealed its 6th Generation iPad Air 2 on October 16, 2014 together with iPad Mini 3 in a big splash event but one of the most desirable features of Apple’s iPad Air 2, which wasn’t announced in the company’s official declaration is the pre-installed Apple SIM.

Yes! iPad Air 2 comes with integrated SIM card, which could be a game changer.


Apple decided to implant its own SIM cards in the latest iPad Air 2. SIM a.k.a Subscriber Identification Module that stores specific network information that verifies and identifies the user on that network.

Apple has always been in favor of getting rid of the traditional SIM card. In fact they changed the concept of SIM cardholder, when they first launched the iPhone, with a smaller Micro-SIM (3FF) and back in 2012 and came up with Nano-SIM (4FF).

Apple SIM is reprogrammable SIM card that sits in the usual place. It allows the user of the cellular enabled iPad Air 2 to select short-term wireless data plans itself from the tablet, rather than purchasing a tablet and a SIM card (with a specific carrier) separately. It can be bought separately from Apple stores just for $5.

It means that the iPad customer will no longer have to sign a long contract with a mobile operator, but you could pick any network, according to your requirement without having to wait for a physical card, depending upon your location.

“The Apple SIM gives you the flexibility to choose from a variety of short-term plans from select carriers in the U.S. and UK right on your iPad. So whenever you need it, you can choose the plan that works best for you, with no long-term commitments.”- Apple Stated.

Few of the participating Network Operators up to now are: AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile (US) and EE (UK).

“Apple SIM is arguably the most interesting news that came out of the Apple announcements given, it is a clear indication of how Apple would like things to evolve in the future”- Stated Ben Wood, analyst at CCS Insight.

If Apple extinct the use of SIM card, then other device makers will surely follow it. Would Apple become SIM-less in future? Perhaps, it would open the gates of groundbreaking technology with more sleek and delicate design. Progression in Apple is on its way.