Google’s move to make the Pixel 10 eSIM-only in the US, following Apple’s lead with the iPhone 14, shows the industry is clearly moving away from physical SIM cards. eSIMs have quickly become the standard for international travelers. That said, there’s an interesting twist: some customers getting replacement Pixel 10 units through RMA are receiving international models, which still include a physical SIM slot.
A number of Pixel 10 owners in the US took to Reddit to report that their warranty replacements include a physical SIM slot, a feature otherwise absent from domestic models (via 9to5Google). The trade-off is that these specific units do not connect to mmWave 5G networks, a capability standard on the official US version.
A Reddit user said they got a Pixel 10 Pro XL with a SIM slot as a replacement after sending back their phone for a screen issue. Other than the SIM tray, it looked identical to their original device. Two more users reported the same thing but didn’t mention which Pixel 10 models they received. Google hasn’t explained what’s going on yet.
The real deal with global Pixel 10 models
International Pixel 10 models with SIM slots work fine but skip mmWave 5G, which is only common in a few US cities. They also don’t support US 5G bands n29, n48, and n70, though that’s not a big deal since few network carriers rely on them. On the flip side, these global models add LTE bands 21, 32, 39, 42, and 75, which could be handy for international travel.
Google’s US eSIM-only push for the Pixel 10 actually looks less like a limitation and more like a strategic bet. Early concerns about it being a hassle are fading, as major US carriers have significantly streamlined their eSIM support. This upgrade in infrastructure might actually make switching devices smoother than dealing with a physical SIM.
