Recently, a number of flagship phones have been released with a new feature: the eSIM. Phone manufacturers, as well as Telecom providers, are also spending money on advertising their eSIM capabilities. Apple just took it a step further by introducing the iPhone 14 Pro, which completely ditches the SIM tray and opts all the way in for eSIM in the US version of the phone.
But what is an eSIM, and why is this something we need to know about?
Here’s everything you need to know about eSIM:
The word SIM is an acronym for Subscriber Identification Module.
A SIM card is an integrated circuit imprinted on a removal plastic card which can be manually inserted into phones, used to identify individual users, as well as save information like contacts and messages.
Since the invention of SIM technology in 1991, there have been major updates to SIM cards.
As phones became more compact, the size of SIM cards became drastically smaller with each generation.
eSIM (embedded-SIM/ electronic SIM) is the latest form of the decades-old SIM technology, designed to overcome a number of previous problems.
eSIM is a programmable SIM card that is embedded directly into the device. Instead of the SIM circuit being attached to a removable plastic card (also known as the UICC card), eSIM has software installed onto an eUICC chip that is attached to the device.
eSIM (embedded-SIM) is the latest form of the decades-old SIM technology, designed to overcome a number of previous problems.
eSIM is a programmable SIM card that is embedded directly into the device. Instead of the SIM circuit being attached to a removable plastic card (also known as the UICC card), eSIM has software installed onto an eUICC chip that is attached to the device.
The end user can add or remove the operators from the chip, but since the chip is permanently mounted to the circuitry, it’s not possible to remove the eSIM itself.
Switching mobile networks is much simpler with an eSIM. You can change your network with a phone call, by scanning a QR code, or even by using an app.
It completely circumvents the hassle of having to go out and buy a SIM card or wait for delivery. It also bypasses the need for a SIM ejector tool every time you need to switch SIMs.
Moreover, the trouble of having to deal with those small chips is also eliminated.
eSIMs can support up to 5 virtual numbers, which means you can quickly change between networks for a better signal or better data plans.
It also makes it much easier to switch to travel SIMs when in a foreign country instead of buying roaming packages.
While current SIM cards are already very small (8.8mm), the card slots/trays are still big enough to take up valuable space that can instead be used for a bigger battery or an extra camera module.
This also allows manufacturers to enable SIM capabilities in other smaller gadgets like smartwatches. The Latest Samsung Gear smartwatches, as well as the latest Apple Watches, already support eSIM, with more companies opening up their IOT devices to this opportunity.
Since eSIMs can’t just be taken off from the phone, eSIMs will improve phone security by making it more difficult to steal a phone and sell it.
Currently, eSIMs are mostly available in flagship phones. Given the slow adoption rate, it’s possible that while changing from a flagship to a temporary phone, eSIM capabilities might not be available.
Unlike regular SIM cards, it’s not possible to just turn off your phone and take out the SIM card when it comes to eSIM.
With regular SIM cards, if your phone battery dies, you can just take out the SIM and use it on a different phone. It’s just simply not that simple in case of eSIM.
No, while eSIM is the latest commercially available version of the SIM card, Qualcomm, along with a number of companies, has already started working on iSIM.
What’s the difference? Well, while eSIM is embedded into the circuitry of the phone, iSIM is integrated into the main processor.
You can store more than one eSIM in your phone, but you can use only one at a time.
Go to Settings > Tap either Cellular or Mobile Data > Tap the plan you want to erase > Tap Remove Cellular Plan.
No, it’s not possible to install the same eSIM on multiple devices. An eSIM can only be installed on one device.
If you delete your eSIM, you can contact your carrier, and they’ll help you retrieve it.
Some phones with eSIM capabilities
Since eSIM is a relatively new technology, it’s not that common in current phones. While some flagship phones have been released with eSIM capabilities, widespread adoption is a few years away.
And a few phones from Sony, Huawei, Oppo, and Motorola.
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