SIMs – the tiny plastic cards you’ve got to shove into a tray to make things work – have been around almost since the first portable phones. They let your device to connect to mobile networks for texting, calling, or accessing data on the go. But recently the phone world has become obsessed with non-physical electronic SIMs, known as the eSIM. Yourupcoming phone might not even have a SIM tray any more.
US versions of Apple’s iPhone 14 and later don’t have physical SIM cards, opting for two eSIM support (dual eSIM) instead. Yet global models sold in the UK, Europe and beyond do still have a nano SIM card slot, while also offering eSIM compatibility (so you can have configure a second virtual SIM).
That has changed with the iPhone Air though which doesn’t have a SIM slot due to its very thin design.
The Google Pixel 10 series is also eSIM oly in the US but the rest of the world still gets a physical SIM tray. No other big-name Android phones have gone the same way – though surely this is only a matter of time.
But what exactly is an eSIM, how does it work, and what’s the difference between that and a regular ol’ SIM card? Here’s our guide on the difference between the two mobile connectors.
What is an eSIM, and how is it different from a regular SIM card?
eSIMs are an alternative to the traditional plastic card and come built-in to your cell phone already. Rather than having a special slot to insert, the eSIM is part of the main motherboard inside the device. It connects to mobile networks in exactly the same way – the key difference is that this is part of your device. That means you can’t remove it, and you don’t have to change it if you switch mobile plans.
But don’t worry, you can still switch cards or change numbers just as easily. Since eSIMs are part of your phone, they’re completely rewritable. That means you won’t need to replace any cards or parts if you switch contracts. Whereas before you’d be sent a new SIM card, everything happens automatically instead.
Setting up an eSIM is a little more complicated than a regular SIM, but still straightforward. Rather than popping in the new card, your carrier will send you a QR code. Head into your Mobile settings, and then using your device’s camera, scan this QR code. Your phone will then take you through a few steps to activate your connection, but then you’ll be ready to go.
But what’s the point of using eSIMs?
Using eSIMs makes things easier on your device. Rather than fiddle around with an ejector tool or risk losing the physical card, you can do everything directly from on your device. While there may be an extra step to the set-up, it makes things more convenient for you in the long run – and it’s great for travelers, especially when they go to roaming destinations not covered in their mobile deal.
“Going eSIM-only makes it faster and easier to connect to a network. You can download a plan in minutes without fiddling with a tiny SIM card, which is a huge win for convenience”, says Sarah McGarr, CEO of Sim Local,
McGarr adds that when travellers can access local eSIM plans, the experience is far better than relying on roaming. “With a local eSIM plan, you’re seen as a local user on the network, so you avoid the delays and lag or latency that sometimes come with data roaming. It’s faster, reliable, and gives you the same quality of service as people who live in that country.”
Your device will also have a few improvements because it uses an eSIM. Since it doesn’t need room for the SIM tray, manufacturers can use this extra space for other components.
That extra battery life you want? There’s now room inside your handset for a larger battery. On top of this, without an extra hole in your device, it’s easier to waterproof against accidental damage.
Who can use an eSIM?
At this point, most people can use an eSIM. While the technology is still on the newer side of things, it’s much more widely supported than it was a few years ago. In the US and UK, all major carriers support eSIMs,. Plus, you’ll find support around the world with all manner of different mobile providers.
“he truth is not every mobile network is ready yet. The ability to use an eSIM is not so much country-dependent as it is device-dependent and network dependent.” continues McGarr. “That means a traveller could land somewhere only to find that their mobile network doesn’t yet support eSIM, or that their plan options are limited. In those cases, people may end up paying more in roaming fees or have fewer choices than they expected.” The bottom line is you need to check before you go.
But what about your phone? The good news is that most major devices from the past four or so years support eSIM technology.
All iPhones released since the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, iPhone XR or later support eSIMs as an option as well as having a nanoSIM slot. As we mentioned above, the iPhone 14 and 15 support dual eSIM only in the US but still have physical SIM slots elsewhere in the world (you can add a second SIM as an eSIM on the global models still). As we mentioned, the iPhone Air is eSIM only.
On the Android side of things, all Samsung phones since the Galaxy S20, all Pixel phones since the Pixel 3, and plenty of smaller brands support non-physical cards.
Plus, you’ll find eSIMs inside smartwatches too. The Apple Watch cellular, Pixel Watch, and Galaxy Watches all support the technology to let you use mobile services when you’re disconnected from your phone.
