iPhone Dual SIM Variant Coming Soon? Recent Patent Applications Suggest the Same!

Apple has been one of the only major handset manufacturer that has not integrated dual-SIM functionality on its smartphones,  but that may change soon. A couple of patent fillings suggest that Apple is considering  adding a dual-SIM functionality to iPhones.

Forbes in a report cites two patent filings in China and US that suggest the Cupertino-based giant may launch a dual-SIM iPhone in future. Report points to a document filed with China’s State Intellectual Property Office that describes  a dual-SIM card features in iPhones that would allow two mobile number in single phone.According to the report the application was submitted by Apple in March earlier this year and published in September 2016.Inventor was named as Li SU who is a Principal Architect for cellular software at Apple, as mentioned on Linkedin.

Apart from China, the report also points to a patent filing in the US. Notably, Apple has been granted dual-SIM functionality patent in the US last week. The patent describes the functionality as, “ Some mobile devices have the capability of using  multiple SIMs.Allowing users to maintain different wireless services or for personal and business use.

Its not been clear whether Apple will launch a dual-SIM enabled iPhone in the future. Considering, the company sells its devices in most countries in partnership with telecom carriers; the dual-SIM addition may put the company relation at risk with telecom carriers. There might be a chance that Apple may unveil a dual-SIM iPhone in selected markets including India and China where majority of smartphone are sold with the dual-sim functionality and unlocked carrier variants. There might be a possibility that Apple might take the patent, but never use it on device. We will have to wait and see whether Apple is considering a dual-SIM iPhone for future.