Shenzhen Modders Add Physical SIM Slot to iPhone Air

Hardware modifiers in the Huaqiangbei electronics market of Shenzhen, China, successfully installed a physical SIM card tray into the iPhone Air, a device Apple released as eSIM-only globally. To create space for the SIM slot next to the USB-C port within the ultra-thin chassis, the modders replaced the original Taptic Engine with a smaller, less potent vibration motor.

Videos circulating on TikTok and Douyin indicate the modified device remains fully functional, retaining its IP68 ingress protection and 5G mobile data capabilities. However, the replacement motor resulted in noticeably weaker haptic feedback and reduced tactile response compared to the standard design, which may impact accessibility for users relying on vibration cues for alerts.

While the modification demonstrates a bypass of Apple's transition to eSIM-only connectivity, some observers have questioned whether the device is a genuine modified iPhone Air or a clone designed to mimic the product.