Cupertino: Apple is reportedly planning to eliminate the physical SIM card tray from iPhones in more countries by next year. This move is expected to affect upcoming models, such as the ultra-slim "iPhone 17 Air," which is at the center of recent reports. According to Oman News Agency, the transition to a design without a SIM card tray has already been implemented in the United States for models ranging from the iPhone 14 to the iPhone 16. The iPhone 17 Air is expected to follow this trend, marking a significant step in Apple's design evolution. The iPhone 17 Air prototypes are reported to be between 5 and 6 millimeters thick, representing a significant reduction compared to the 7.8 mm thickness of the iPhone 16. This new model aims to surpass the iPhone 6, which currently holds the title as Apple's thinnest iPhone at 6.9 mm. In addition to its slim profile, the iPhone 17 Air will feature a single camera on the back, housed in a "large, centered camera bump." It is also expected to be among the first iPhon es to incorporate Apple's in-house 5G modem. However, while Apple's modem is noted for its efficiency, it still falls short of Qualcomm's 5G chips in terms of performance and lacks support for mmWave 5G technology.