I don't know much, but I can give you what I do know...
Obviously, as you point out, the SIM card can be used for tracking. However, according to https://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/police-hackers-phone-tracking/, even removing that would not be enough. I presume the tracking identifier of interest outside the SIM card is the IMEI number, a code unique to each phone. It wouldn't be surprising if this were transmitted even without a SIM card, and so could identify anybody merely carrying a phone.
In your last question, I assume you're talking about privacy. If so, there's no difference- the technology needed to connect to the phone tower is identical, and still gives away exactly the same amount of information.
