SIM card not recognised after upgrade to latest IOS apple staff helped reboot lost very treasured photos then backed up compt before trying to find them so say have overwritten back up so now lost forever Is this true Sim blamed on hardware ? True

Question

I have a DM*******FJ3 iPad
I put a SIM card in it and it worked beautifully
I went away the sim does not work abroad and updated the management programme while away
When I came back the sim wouldn't work and when rebooted after update an error message no SIM appeared and it has been there since
I booked an Apple review at the shop in lakeside they were unable to find a fault said it was a hardware problem and I would need to buy a new iPad
I then phoned apple apple help who talked me through a reset
At the reset a lot of photos of the birth of my granddaughter went missing the albums they were in was missing
I then booked an appointment at Genius Bar in covent garden
They backed up the computer on arrival
Their conclusion was the photos lost forever as the back up had overwritten the backed up photos that hasn't downloaded properly when reinstating backup
The pins in the iPad drawer for the sim are broken and I need a new iPad
Apart from being furious that despite apple knowing the problem was about lost photos they have by their actions lost them
The sim stopped working without the drawer being opened
The only people to open the drawer since it stopped working are apples employees  so if pins are broken apple has broken them and still haven't identified the more likey software problem that stopped the sim working as it happened afte an update
It is impossible to visualise the pins in the SIM card slot I have tried with an ophthalmoscope and can't see them so how an Apple employee can see with his naked eye is beyond  me
This seems to be a problem with this iPad as the net is littered with problems regarding this fault so I'm sure Apple know about it
My friend with a company use of these iPads has had several develop this problem and they have been replaced as staff have admitted to him it is a known fault
Wy should so done have one level of truth compared to another
Staff should not lie just to get someone out of a shop if they really don't know the answer
I feel I have highlighted several staff training issues and would like some reassurance that action is being taken about this don't seem to be able to find a way to complain to Apple Anyone know how?
There is an obvious problem with the SIM card comparability in this iPad I believe a software problem and would to know if it is actually being addressed and when a new update comes out will it ever work again or do I really have a useless piece of equipment now?
Are my photos really lost as staff have been useless at everything else I can't help but hope they don't know a retrieval route for this either
Any help very grateful
<Edited By Host>

Answer 1

Actually, I'm sorry.  I just re-read your post and you were certainly clear.  I somehow got it in my head you set up the new phone from iCloud backup.
Since you've had the phone one week (I hope I got that right at least?) you are entitled to technical support directly with Apple.  I'd either call them (1-800-MY-APPLE) or schedule a meeting at the Genius Bar at your Apple Store.  I'm sorry I can't be more helpful.