iPhone dual-SIM variant on cards, reveals Apple patent filing

iPhone may be one of the best in its class but unfortunately it doesn’t support dual-SIM technology. But that could change very soon.

According to a report by Forbes, Apple has filed an application with the Chinese intellectual property office for a patent that describes support for dual-SIM card feature in a phone. Meanwhile, the Cupertino giant has also seen a similar application getting approved by the US patent office last week.

The report says that the application was submitted by Apple in March earlier this year and published in September 2016. The patent describes the functionality as, "Some mobile devices have the capability of using multiple SIMs. Allowing users to maintain different wireless services, such as for business and personal use."

Though dual SIM phones are hugely popular in Asian markets like India and China, but the patent filing or approval is no guarantee that we’ll see the technology in the iPhone’s next iteration. Apple sells its devices in most countries in partnership with telecom carriers and the dual-SIM addition may put the company's relation at risk with telecom carriers.

It could happen that a dual-SIM iPhone gets launched only in select markets including India and China given their huge market.

Only time will tell, whether Apple is indeed considering a dual-SIM iPhone for future. Till then, keep a tab on this space for further updates.