Apple’s iPhone Air arrived as a bold experiment, combining an ultra-thin body with several compromises to keep the design minimal. Alongside choices like a smaller battery, a single rear camera, and mono sound, Apple also took a major step in connectivity: in some markets, the device dropped the physical SIM card slot entirely, relying only on eSIM.
That decision has been relatively easy to accept in the United States, where eSIM support is widespread, but in other regions, many users still see physical SIM cards as more practical—whether for quick carrier swaps, travel, or avoiding complicated activation processes.
In China, a group of hands-on tech enthusiasts decided not to wait for Apple to change course; using a DIY modification, they managed to add a physical SIM slot to the iPhone Air, placing it next to the USB-C port. With the new hardware installed, the phone could connect to mobile networks and handle calls as if it had been designed for physical SIM use.
The upgrade, though, came at a clear cost: to make room inside the tightly packed chassis, the modders removed Apple’s original vibration motor and replaced it with a smaller one. The result is noticeably weaker haptic feedback, falling short of the crisp and precise vibration response that has become a defining feature of modern iPhones.
What might seem like a simple convenience adjustment also touches on accessibility. Strong, reliable tactile feedback can play an important role for users who depend on vibration cues for navigation and alerts.
Beyond the technical feat, the story highlights how determined some communities are to bypass the limitations set by major manufacturers—and it raises a wider question: how far are users willing to follow Apple’s “one right way” approach before they start building their own alternatives?