TechWalls

Technology News | Gadget Reviews | Tutorials

How to Buy iPhone XS Max or XR with Physical Dual-SIM Card Support

Updated on by

Dual-SIM card capability is one of the most important upgrades of the new iPhone models released this year. For the first time, we can use two cellular plans on the same iPhone. This feature is very helpful for people who are using two numbers – one for business and one for family/friends, who want to add a local number when traveling abroad, or when you want to separate voice and data plans.

Although all iPhone models in the world support dual SIM, the bad news is that most have just one physical SIM card slot, the other one is an eSIM (or digital SIM) which is embedded in the iPhone itself.

Read also: iPhone XS Max Model Number A1921, A2101, A2102, A2104 Differences

Most people won’t be able to benefit from eSIM since it is available in just about 10 countries at the moment; Apart from the US and UK, some other countries supporting the eSIM technology include Austria, Canada, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, India, and Spain.

Obviously, most people will want to own the version supporting dual-SIM cards instead. With this version, we do not only have better flexibility but we can also use the function immediately without waiting for the eSIM software update. Even in the US, just a few major carriers like T-Mobile, Verizon, and AT&T are offering eSIM support; Therefore, consumers are also looking for the other version to use dual-SIM cards without any restriction. So, how can we buy that new iPhone version?

Fortunately, Apple releases a version for China, Macau, and Hong Kong. This version has a SIM card tray that allows us to place two nano-SIM cards at the same time, as illustrated below.

Notice that just the iPhone XS Max and iPhone XR have the capability. The new iPhone XS doesn’t support physical dual-SIM cards.

The two major carriers in China, China Telecom and China Mobile, support eSIM in a few cities but it’s not widely available yet; So, the regional version with physical SIM cards is reasonable. The model numbers or the iPhone XS Max and XR are A2104 and A2108 respectively. I’d highly recommend you to buy the version imported from Hong Kong since it uses the same global software as in the US, so you can use Apple Pay, Facetime and other features without any problem. At the moment, Facetime Audio is still not supported in China.

Disclosure: We might earn commission from qualifying purchases. The commission help keep the rest of my content free, so thank you!

Reader Interactions

Comments

    • Tuan Do says

      You will need to buy the imported version from China or Hong Kong, the model number is A2104. You can find it on Amazon or eBay when it’s available.

    • Dhionis says

      Simple call apple sale and ask for the dual sim xs max model number A2104 but make sure is the Hong Kong one which uses international firmware to work worldwide including usa

      • Tuan Do says

        Have you ordered the A2104 successfully in the US? I contacted Apple and they said it is not possible at the moment.

      • Dhionis says

        yes I did,just call sales department and ask for special order and tell them you travel a lot and you would like the model a2104

      • Jeff says

        I’ve tried over & over. They don not carry physical dual sim in America. Ebay has it but they want way to much for it. It’s a rip off

  2. Vincent says

    1. If I buy a A2104 from China’s Apple Store, will I get a “unlocked” version ? or, Do I have to specify the unlocked version when purchasing it?
    2. based on your article above the A2104 should work 100% in U.S., correct?
    3. any idea that T mobile will begin to activate esim on iphone Xs/max ? they only support esim on ipad now.

    • Tuan Do says

      There are some limitations of the Chinese version as mentioned above, so I recommend you to purchase the Hong Kong version.
      The eSIM will be available soon this year, we will need to wait for the software update from Apple.

      • Doro says

        China
        64GB Silver MT722CH/A
        256GB Silver MT752CH/A
        512GB Silver MT782CH/A
        64GB Space Gray MT712CH/A
        256GB Space Gray MT742CH/A
        512GB Space Gray MT772CH/A
        64GB Gold MT732CH/A
        256GB Gold MT762CH/A
        512GB Gold MT792CH/A

        Hong Kong
        64GB Silver MT722ZA/A
        256GB Silver MT752ZA/A
        512GB Silver MT782ZA/A
        64GB Space Gray MT712ZA/A
        256GB Space Gray MT742ZA/A
        512GB Space Gray MT772ZA/A
        64GB Gold MT732ZA/A
        256GB Gold MT762ZA/A
        512GB Gold MT792ZA/A

  3. Adeel Chaudhry says

    How can one can differentiate between the Hong Kong Version and Chinese Version? Because both have the same Model Number and both has a dual physical sim tray.

  4. Mark says

    which number did you dial ??, I just tried and apple USA can only sell me the USA version

    • Victor says

      He was lying. I called Apple HK and Apple Canada, there is no such thing called special order.

    • Philip says

      Victor is correct. Apple US agents did not have an idea about the meaning A2104 model and kept telling me the US model is two line model. eBay or a traveler to Hong Kong are the only options. eBay has lowered the price premium of the Hong Kong iPhone to a spread of ~$220 which is where the price will probably stabilize.

  5. MRLIAUW says

    So I live in Hong Kong if I buy a device in here can I use it in u.s for traveling??

  7. mikee santos says

    Hello. im from new zealand but will travel to HK just to get teh dual sim iphone XR
    where is the best place to get A2104 in HK? (which shop or mall)

    thanks in advance for the help. much appreciated

    • Steven says

      You can find the list of Apple Stores in Hong Kong here: https://www.apple.com/hk/en/retail/storelist/. I believe all of them have enough phones in stock so no reservation is necessary.
      All stores are super convenient to be reached by MTR (Hong Kong’s metro system). Just consult Google Map and pick one which is close to where you will live/visit.

    • Edwin says

      @Mikee – How did you get on with your purchase in Hong Kong…does the dual sim work all good in NZ ? Keen to know

  8. Marcus says

    Hi If you replace the sim tray, from a single sim to a dual sim tray. Will a Iphone XS max support it….

    • Robritz says

      Is that right? If you buy a double sim tray you can use it on any iPhone XS Max and not only in Modell A2104?

  9. Abdallah says

    Someone is offering to sell me an Iphone Xr imported from china. How can I know if it is from HK with facetime or not?

    • Giznp says

      If I buy from aliexpress, will it support eSIM? Also, can I use normal sim instead of eSIM?

  10. abdul says

    i m in malaysia . want to to hong kong to get the dual sim phone. is it advisable and will it work in Malaysia. how about the warantty in malaysia can anybody help me

  11. K Minhaj says

    Hi,
    I am in Kuwait, the Iphone xs max, dual physical sim available here. If i purchase, will it work in India ?.
    please advise, i will much appreciate to you.

    • Paul Joseph says

      Yes it’s working in India and everywhere and apple international warranty! I love the physical dual nano sim!

  13. Mark says

    I wonder if you just swop the tray it will become dual ? I find it difficult to imagine that the internals are different for different parts of the world

  14. Elie Jean says

    Hi, I do agree with mark…
    I really find it difficult to imagine that the internals are different for different parts of the world (software is easy and cheap and they did that in the middle east stopping facetime, one it was unblocked by the authorities, it was a matter of carrier/software update- and you get it by resetting the network setting very simple did not cost them anything), but on the other hand it will be very expensive for apple to do differant hardware parts for differant region, I am leaning towards believing the fact that replacing the tray will do the trick, I have iphone xs Max (US version) and I am looking for the dual tray, I will test it and update you once I find it, it is a good business to make them and start selling them, unless someone already working on/did that ;-)

    • Ravi says

      Hi Elie, did you manage to see if changing the sim tray to dual physical sim one works for a eSIM model?

  16. Coleen says

    HI, may I know if I can purchase an iPhone xs max in hongkong using my credit card here in the Philippines? I want to pay for it like 24 months. Is it possible? Thanks

  17. t2 boy says

    using dual sim card tray on an esim version on xs max is not working..i tried it.it fits but one one sim it reads.thank you

  18. Oraaa says

    i jst bought iphone xr dual sim and it cost around BND1300++ and it is great because i can use my broadband sim card and my carrier sim…

  19. diven says

    Hi, I am planning to buy an Iphone xs from Kuwait. Can anyone tell me if it will work in India with both e sim and physical sim? Also, will the phone have FaceTime?

  21. Bishal says

    I went through the above details and understood the iphone xs physical dual sim model is not available anywhere isn’t it? But honestly that’s could be great if its available coz max and xr model screen size is very big it’s not looks good.
    Anyone plz help me to clear my confusion is iphone xs with dual sim(nano+esim) model will work in Nepal. I mean esim will work there or not. I would love if xs model with having dual sim functionality if will work there. Thanks

  22. Travelled says

    I bought a dual physical sim XR at the HKG airport duty free store before it works fine

    • UATA says

      Hi Travelled, How much you paid for the Dual SIM XR at HKG ? Can I use it with my Verizon plan in the U.S Thanks

  23. Elton says

    To answer a lot of the questions above – I have a HK bought Dual SIM card tray iPhone XS Max and my friend has same phone bought in USA but single SIM card tray. Tried to swap them and his phone still only reads one SIM. Maybe needs an update or something but as it stands IT DOESNT WORK TO JUAT BUY A DUAL SIM TRAY.

  24. Ion Ruscu says

    Can you please tell me which are the best and safest online sites where I could buy an Iphone X Max Dual Sim Model A2014 (two nano sim cards)?

  25. Ola says

    It is obvious that a lot of interest and demand is there for a physical dual sim nana iPhone regardless of price as long as it’s functional and has the usual worldwide Apple warranty. I live in London UK and need Iphone X Max Dual Sim Model A2014 (two nano sim cards) so if anyone finds a way to get this handset and get it working please please do let us all know. I have a lot of friends that would buy them too.

  26. Sunie says

    I am looking for a Iphone with Dual SIm, as I travel all over the world and at this point is very frustrated of having to carry two phones. If anyone have a verifiable link, please share.

  27. Manik says

    i bought a I phone xr from Dubai which is actually a hongkong version with Facetime, this had come in in with single Sim tray options so tried Esim and whcih didnt work as it stated that ” your device doesnt support ” so Ordered for a dual sim tray to check out and again the same issue and only the face sim gets detected. though on the setting and about i could see 2 imei no for the face and back Sim, but the back sim seems to be not detected. what culd be the issue here ?

  28. Jerome says

    I use iphone 8 with physical dual sims tray, t-mobile number when i am in united states,and mexico movistar number, when i am in mexico almost everytime i switch from movistar mumber to t-mobile number(or after a while or so using t-mobile number. on the other hand i don’t have problem with reading sim with non of the 2 sim) it say “sim failure” or “invalid sim”, the only way to correct this problem is to take out the sim tray and insert it again, I wonder if someone can tell me what cause this failure and how can I fix this problem without taking out and inserting the sim tray again?

  30. shameer basheer says

    Hi,
    May i know the problems would become in A2104(dual nano sim?) Xsmax version.?

    Any users would have any complaints rather than international version.

  31. Artxa says

    Does anyone has found a way to buy any iPhone dual SIM with (two nano sim cards) in the USA or Mexico?

    I’ve noticed that many people have this inquiry in many forums and blogs, it is stupid that Apple don’t have this feature in America… It is so easy to find an Android device with extra SIM slots.. What is the big deal? Control? Sell more Iphones?….