Everything You Need to Know About eSIMs and Your Phone

If you’ve ever upgraded to a new phone or switched carriers, chances are you’re already familiar with the concept of a SIM (subscriber identity module) card. It’s a tiny chip in your phone that essentially connects it to your cell phone carrier. For years, if you wanted to change carriers, you’d have to swap out physical SIM cards by ejecting a SIM card tray from your phone and then replacing one card with another. 

An eSIM, however, is different. Rather than a removable card, an eSIM is embedded (that’s the “e” in eSIM) directly into the phone’s circuitry. With an eSIM, switching carriers doesn’t require swapping physical SIM cards; instead, the information can be programmed remotely via software. Changing carriers can be done with just a tap and a swipe, without having to deal with the phone’s hardware. 

What are the advantages of using an eSIM?

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 typically has options that let you choose how long you’d like to use that service.

eSIMs also make it easier to switch from one cellular service to another, since you don’t necessarily have to go to a physical store to have your SIM card swapped. Oftentimes a carrier will send you a QR code to scan and add its eSIM to your phone.

If you want to separate your work and personal life, for instance, you can access either number on the same phone without having to juggle a separate handset. 

Generally, eSIMs are also more secure; physical SIM cards can get lost or damaged, but eSIMs are permanently attached to the phone. If stolen, devices with eSIMs are easier to track, because thieves can’t just take out the SIM. eSIMs also reduce the risk of SIM card cloning and theft. 

What are the disadvantages of using an eSIM?

If, on the other hand, you want to share a single line across multiple devices, an eSIM can be kind of a headache. Swapping a physical card in and out of different phones can take mere seconds, but with an eSIM, you’d have to deactivate and reactivate every time you switch handsets.

Upgrading handsets is also a lot easier with a physical SIM; just transfer the card from an old phone to a new one and you’re all set. Additionally, if an eSIM device gets damaged, you won’t be able to just swap the SIM card like you could with a physical option. An eSIM requires you to go through a lengthier deactivation and reactivation process. 

Is it better to use an eSIM or a physical SIM card?

It all depends on your needs and priorities. If you’re happy sticking to one phone, then an eSIM is decidedly more useful because it offers you the freedom of multiple carriers and it’s more secure. But if you like the flexibility of using the same SIM with different devices, then a physical SIM might be more to your liking. 

Do all phones support eSIM?

No. But most modern Android phones from Samsung, Motorola, OnePlus and others do. If you’ve purchased a phone in the past three years, chances are it supports eSIM. All iPhones since the iPhone XS and XR support eSIM. In fact, in the US, the iPhone 14 and newer are eSIM-only, with no support for physical SIM cards.

Google’s Pixel 6 and newer support eSIM, as do Samsung phones since the Galaxy S21 (including the Z Fold and Flip series).

Why are eSIMS so popular?

As mentioned earlier, eSIMs allow you to have multiple carrier lines on a single phone, which is useful for global travelers, folks who want to switch cell service providers, and people who want separate work and phone lines. They’re also more secure than physical SIM cards as they’re less likely to get lost or damaged. 

There are other reasons eSIMs are so popular. eSIMs take up much less space, which theoretically allows for slimmer hardware and a larger battery. Despite Apple removing physical SIM card trays from US models since the iPhone 14, it remains to be seen what impact that’s had on new iPhone designs. eSIMs are generally more energy efficient than physical SIMs, too, which could result in less battery drain. 

From a business perspective, eSIMs let corporate device managers change or update the wireless service on their employees’ phones at a massive scale, whether there are 10 or 10,000 employees.