Over the years, we’ve all gotten used to those fiddly little SIM cards that are a necessary part of any phone.
If you lose one or break it while switching to a new device, it’s a huge problem: you need a replacement sent from your provider, which can take a few days and mean you no longer have your number phone.
However, these drawbacks may soon be a thing of the past as eSIM technology is quickly becoming the industry standard.
Starting with the iPhone 14 series in 2022, Apple’s smartphones do not include a physical SIM card slot in the United States. Android phones still have it, but many offer an option for eSIM. Which raises the question…
What is an eSIM?
An eSIM stands for “embedded SIM” and serves as a digital substitute for traditional physical SIM cards, in the same way that e-books replace physical books and e-tickets enable mobile boarding without the need for printed tickets.
How can I get an eSIM?
In the UK, you can apply for an eSIM from carriers including EE, O2, Vodafone and Three, while US customers can use AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile.
Some MVNOs, or piggyback networks as they are often called, offer eSIMs, but not all.
If you’re unsure whether your carrier is compatible with eSIM, many providers offer online tools to determine compatibility.
To find out what other benefits these companies have to offer in the UK, check out our guide to the best UK phone networks.
How does an eSIM work?
Setting up an eSIM on compatible phones involves either pre-configuration by the provider or scanning a QR code provided in an eSIM pack.
The QR code is scanned with the device, which connects to the web to download eSIM information directly into the phone’s chip, eliminating the need for physical SIM cards or trays.
Stock Foto.Touch / Shutterstock
Stock Foto.Touch / Shutterstock
Stock Foto.Touch / Shutterstock
There are also dual-SIM phones that allow you to have a physical SIM card from one phone network and a companion eSIM from another, with the ability to manually switch between them.
This can be useful if you travel abroad a lot or visit areas with poor coverage on certain networks.
Which phones support an eSIM?
Adoption of eSIM in phones has been slow due to late acceptance by international carriers, leading manufacturers to include both physical SIM slots and eSIM capability. Flagship phones from companies like Apple, Google, and Samsung were the first to adopt it, but eSIM support is now extending to mid-range phones as well.
The most affordable eSIM models currently are the iPhone SE (2022), Google Pixel 7a, and Samsung Galaxy A54 5G, but there are several other mid-range phones that also support the technology.
Additionally, eSIM support is also found in top smartwatches such as the Apple Watch Series 9, Google Pixel Watch 2 or Samsung Galaxy Watch 6, as well as other mobile devices such as tablets and laptops.
Why should I use an eSIM?
Although more limited than physical SIM cards in some ways, an eSIM offers unique advantages.
If you like to change providers regularly, an eSIM can make this easier, as you don’t need to wait for a physical card to arrive in the mail before you can change networks: simply scan the new code in your device.
Of course, you’ll still need to ensure your old contract is upheld before you can switch, but this is easier than ever thanks to the SMS-to-switch initiative introduced in 2019 which also allows you to keep your phone number.
There’s also the benefit that your phone’s chip can store multiple eSIMs simultaneously, meaning you can have one for home and another for work or higher data usage.
Tomek / Pixabay
Tomek / Pixabay
Tomek / Pixabay
However, aside from needing an up-to-date phone, privacy-conscious people will want to know that you can’t simply delete an eSIM like you can with a physical SIM card, so it’s possible that cybercriminals benefit from it.
It’s also convenient to remove traditional SIM cards and insert them into another device, such as a basic phone, when attending festivals or in the great outdoors, where battery life is very valuable.
To learn more, see our separate article on the pros and cons of eSIMs.
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