When Google first announced the Pixel 10, to our surprise, the phone was eSIM only. This is a first for Google’s Pixel phones. The rest of the world still had the option to use physical SIM if they wanted. However, it seems that some Pixel 10 owners who requested an RMA are now given the global variant with the SIM card slot.
Pixel 10 RMA units have SIM card slot
In a post on Reddit by u/crocsnosockz, they requested for a Pixel 10 RMA due to a screen issue, but when they received the replacement unit, it was the global variant with the SIM card slot. According to comments on the post, they weren’t alone. Other users who requested an RMA also received the global variant with a physical SIM slot.
“RMAed due to a screen issue and google store support was very helpful and sent me a replacement unit but this one is probably a global version and has physical sim support lol. Hopefully its not inferior in other parts compared to US version.”
Google’s decision to make the Pixel 10 eSIM-only in the US echoes that of Apple. The Cupertino company had transitioned its iPhones sold in the US to eSIM-only models a few years ago. However, the rest of the world still has the physical SIM card slot. At the same time, users have the option to use eSIM if they prefer.
Same but different
That being said, while the performance of the phone is essentially the same between the US and global variants, there are some slight differences worth noting.
First of all, both variants are designed to work on most networks. This means that if you received the global variant, you should be able to use it on most US networks. Secondly, under the hood, they pack pretty much identical specs. However, the main difference has to do with connectivity.
The global version of the Pixel 10 does not support mmWave 5G connectivity or dual-eSIM usage. If, for whatever reason, those are important things to you, then you might want to think twice when asking for an exchange. We’re not sure why Google has decided to use the global version for RMA units, especially when there are these subtle (but potentially important) differences.
Perhaps Google has an inventory issue, where they have run out of the US variant and are using the global version for now. The company has not commented on its decision, so we’ll have to wait and see.
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