If you’ve upgraded to a new phone or switched carrier, you’re probably familiar with the concept of a SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) card. It’s a small chip in your phone that basically connects to your cell phone carrier. For years, if you wanted to change carriers, you would have to swap physical SIM cards by taking the SIM tray out of your phone and then replacing one card with another.
However, eSIM is different. Instead of a removable card, there is an eSIM Planted (that’s the “e” in eSIM) directly into the phone’s circuits. With an eSIM, switching carriers doesn’t require swapping physical SIM cards; Alternatively, remote information can be programmed via software. Changing carriers can be done with just a tap and a swipe, without having to fumble with phones.
What are the advantages of using an eSIM?
Do you want to carefully manage and reduce your roaming charges? An eSIM could be ideal.
The biggest advantage of an eSIM is that it allows one phone to have multiple lines, even from different carriers. It’s great for international travelers, as you can easily add a roaming or global eSIM provider to your phone without having to wait in line to purchase a physical SIM card at your destination. A travel eSIM usually has options that allow you to choose how long you want to use this service for.
eSIMs also make it easier to switch from one cellular service to another, as you don’t necessarily have to go to a physical store to swap your SIM card. Often times, your carrier will send you a QR code to scan their eSIM and add it to your phone.
If you want to keep your work and personal life separate, for example, you can access any number on the same phone without having to juggle a separate phone.
In general, eSIMs are also more secure; Physical SIM cards can be lost or damaged, but eSIMs are permanently attached to the phone. If devices with eSIM cards are stolen, they are easier to trace, because thieves can’t just take out the SIM card. eSIMs also reduce the risk of SIM card cloning and theft.
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What are the disadvantages of using an eSIM?
A stack of SIM cards from different carriers.
On the other hand, if you want to share a single line across multiple devices, an eSIM can be a headache. Swapping the physical card in and out of different phones can take mere seconds, but with an eSIM, you’ll have to deactivate and reactivate every time you switch phones.
Upgrading phones is also a lot easier with a physical SIM card; Simply transfer the card from an old phone to a new one and you’re good to go. Additionally, if your eSIM device is damaged, you won’t be able to swap the SIM card like you would with a physical option. The eSIM requires you to go through a longer process of deactivation and reactivation.
Is it better to use an eSIM or a physical SIM?
It all depends on your needs and priorities. If you’re happy to stick with one phone, an eSIM is definitely more useful as it gives you the freedom to use multiple carriers and is more secure. But if you like the flexibility of using the same SIM card with different devices, a physical SIM card might be what you like more.
Do all phones support eSIM?
In the US, all iPhone 16 series phones support eSIM only.
No, but most modern Android phones from Samsung, Motorola, OnePlus, and others do. If you’ve bought a phone within the past three years, it probably supports eSIM. All iPhones since the iPhone XS and XR support eSIM. In fact, in the US, iPhone 14 and later only use an eSIM, with no support for physical SIM cards.
Google’s Pixel 6 and later support eSIM, as do Samsung phones since the Galaxy S21 (including the Z Fold and Flip series).
Why is eSIMS so popular?
As mentioned earlier, eSIMs allow you to have multiple carrier lines on one phone, which is useful for world travelers, people who want to switch cellular providers, and people who want separate business and phone lines. They are also more secure than physical SIM cards because they are less likely to be lost or damaged.
There are other reasons why eSIMs are so popular. eSIMs take up much less space, theoretically allowing for slimmer devices and a larger battery. Although Apple has removed physical SIM trays from US models since the iPhone 14, it remains to be seen how much impact this will have on new iPhone designs. eSIMs are generally more power efficient than physical SIMs as well, which can result in less battery drain.
From a business perspective, eSIMs allow device managers in companies to change or update the wireless service on their employees’ phones on a large scale, whether there are 10 or 10,000 employees.
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