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Chinese Modders Add Physical SIM Slot to eSIM-Only iPhone Air

The Shenzhen hack makes room by swapping out the Taptic Engine, with performance and water‑resistance claims based only on shared images.

Overview

  • A tech shop in Shenzhen’s Huaqiangbei market showed a modified iPhone Air with a SIM tray beside the USB‑C port in images shared by Ice Universe.
  • The modification removes the original Taptic Engine to free space and installs a smaller motor that delivers only basic haptic feedback.
  • Photos indicate the phone places calls, accesses mobile data including 5G, and displays a China Telecom SIM in use.
  • Coverage notes the device’s IP rating appears intact based on the images, but independent verification and long‑term reliability are unknown.
  • Apple built the iPhone Air as eSIM‑only to save internal space for its ultra‑slim design and battery, making this an impressive yet likely impractical workaround.