Pixel 10 Owner Exchange Units Damaged, Even Gets A Phone With A Physical SIM Slot

Illustration of Google Pixel 10 (photo; x @ANOTHERSKY_NTV)

JAKARTA - Several Google Pixel 10 owners in the United States who asked for replacement units (RMA) actually received a global variant equipped with physical SIM card slots. In fact, the official version of Pixel 10 in the US comes without SIM slots and only supports eSIM.

This phenomenon began to be widely discussed after a Reddit user with the name u/crocsnosockz shared his experience. He asked for a Pixel 10 replacement due to screen problems. When the replacement unit came, it turned out to be a global variant that has a physical SIM slot.

Other users have confirmed the same thing. Some people who asked for RMA also received global variants.

RMA because the screen is problematic, Google Store support is very helpful and sends replacement units. But it looks like this is a global version and supports physical SIM, lol. Hopefully there will be no shortages compared to the US version," wrote u/crocsnosockz.

Google previously shocked the public by launching the Pixel 10 in the US as an eSIM-only phone that followed in Apple's footsteps, which had already removed the physical SIM slot on the US version of the iPhone. However, in many other countries, the Pixel 10 still comes with a physical SIM slot option next to the eSIM.

Although the performance of the US and global variants is identical, there are important differences in connectivity. The global Pixel 10 variant does not support mmWave 5G and does not have dual-eSIM features. So, for users who need both features, receiving a global variant may not be good news.

It is not yet clear why Google is sending global variants as a substitute. Temporary allegations, Google may experience stock constraints for the US variant and temporarily use global stock. Google itself has not provided official comments regarding this policy.