The humble SIM card has survived for quite a while, but it now finally looks like it’s on its way out. Why? Well, the eSIM, a much smarter technology, is here to save the day.
Before we dive into what an eSIM is, it might be helpful to understand what a SIM is. A SIM, which stands for “subscriber identity module,” basically contains the information that authenticates your identity to a carrier. In other words, the SIM card is what tells a carrier that you’re you — and without it, carriers wouldn’t know that you’re subscribed to their network, and thus wouldn’t let you use their cell towers.
But learning about a standard SIM card isn’t why you’re here. New phones like the Pixel 4, iPhone 11 Pro, and Motorola Razr boast of eSIM support, so it’s a good idea to know exactly what that means. Here’s everything you need to know about the new eSIM.
What is an eSIM?
An eSIM is exactly what it sounds like: An electronic, or embedded, SIM. Instead of a physical card, SIM technology is built right into your phone. It’s a small chip that’s used to authenticate your identity with your carrier.
Of course, you probably have some questions about that. When traveling with a traditional SIM card, you may have to swap to another carrier’s SIM card to keep your coverage. If you want to change carriers at home, you’ll also have to physically replace your SIM card. With that in mind, does a built-in SIM mean you have to switch phones? Thankfully, no. In fact, one of the advantages of eSIM technology is that it makes it much easier to switch carriers. Instead of having to order a new SIM and wait around for it to arrive, you can switch to a new carrier straight from your phone. If you’re a dual-SIM user, eSIM technology supports multiple accounts — and switching between them is super easy.
With an eSIM, your phone has a few new settings devoted to your SIM card that allow you to switch between lines and carriers and manage accounts. The Google Pixel 2 was among the first phones to support eSIM technology, and an app for managing your eSIM is available from the Google Play Store. Then, the iPhone XS came out, and it offered both a physical SIM card and an eSIM as a secondary, though the eSIM was only enabled later down the line through an iOS software update. Unfortunately, the Chinese version of that iPhone did away with the eSIM altogether — instead offering a dual-SIM slot (a practice continued with the iPhone 11). That could suggest that Chinese carriers are less interested in adopting the new tech, which is bad news for those who were looking forward to using an eSIM to travel to China.
The eSIM is helpful for another reason: It helps make devices smaller. Now, that may not matter all that much for phones (although a little extra room for battery capacity is always nice), but it could be extremely helpful for wearables. The Apple Watch Series 5 and Series 4 already have eSIMs, and that helps Apple keep the overall size down, which is vital for something you wear on your wrist.
When can I start using an eSIM?
The next wave of eSIMS will likely first appear en masse in new model LTE-connected computers. These computers are constantly connected and first made an appearance in 2018. Since their splashy arrival, the push for constant connectivity has risen everywhere. We believe LTE-connected computers will continue to rise in popularity for several more years.
New eSIMs will bring a new layer of connection and convenience to your tech-ecosystem. You may already be an early adopter of this new tech if your phone and carrier support eSIMs. Until it becomes the universal standard across devices, some phones come with both an eSIM and traditional SIM card slot. We’re betting that eventually, though, both of those trays could go away altogether.
This decision is a solid countermove by manufacturers because swapping out SIM cards can be challenging. eSIMs are more convenient to use all-around and provide a quick fix for frequent travelers, people switching carriers, or folks upgrading their phones.
Editors’ Recommendations
