I went from an IPhone 7 to the latest model a few months ago. I wanted something more reliable and a better camera/battery. On new phones there’s not a physical SIM card. My carrier has blocked adding an eSIM, even though I’m still paying them. Now I’m stuck with WiFi and roaming charges.
That’s something very carrier based.
I also buy my iPhones from the US (way cheaper than Europe), but I buy them at full cost. No carrier lock.
And carrier lock is not apple/ US only, it’s quite popular everywhere on this planet. You buy something in installments? It’s locked. You buy it at a carrier discount w/ subscription? it’s locked. Regardless if it’s SIM or eSIM. I stopped buying phones from carriers like 10 years ago because of this. I prefer to get them cash down.
In Europe carriers can’t lock your phone anymore, unless in contractual period or in installments. But they have to unlock it after this passes.