The proliferation of smartphones, smartwatches, tablets, and laptops equipped with an embedded eSIM (Embedded Subscriber Identity Module) is on the rise, allowing for the replacement of traditional physical SIM cards. This innovation provides users the convenience of activating a mobile phone’s plan without the need for a physical SIM card slot.
Devices from major brands have adopted eSIM technology; Apple iPhones have included eSIM since the iPhone XS model, Google phones since the Pixel 3, and Samsung S series since the S20 model. To check if a device supports eSIM, it’s recommended to visit the manufacturer’s website and review the technical specifications.
Unlike a physical SIM, an eSIM is built into the smartphone and cannot be removed. It stores all necessary data as a profile, eliminating the need for physical handling.
How to Obtain an eSIM?
Obtaining an eSIM profile no longer requires waiting for delivery via mail or email. Users can now reserve their profile online and download it directly using a QR code from the service provider’s customer portal. The German Product and Goods Testing Agency explains that in most cases, the eSIM can be ordered directly through the carrier’s mobile app installed on the smartphone. This process highlights the convenience of instant eSIM data availability, especially in cases of losing the smartphone, as there’s no wait time for a replacement card.
After scanning the QR code or requesting the data through the app, users are guided through the activation process. If scanning the QR code isn’t possible, the information can be entered manually in the smartphone’s settings under “Mobile Communications” or “SIM Cards”. Some carriers also send a confirmation SMS to complete the final activation step, and an internet connection is crucial for data retrieval and activation, preferably through a Wi-Fi network.
Multiple Profiles on a Single eSIM
The eSIM technology allows for storing and switching between multiple profiles, even though only one subscription can be active at a time. This feature is particularly useful for quickly changing carriers or subscriptions and for obtaining a local data plan when traveling abroad, easily managed before departure via the internet.
The advent of eSIM has significantly transformed the roaming services market, as travelers can now secure mobile services from around the world in minutes, activating them on eSIM-compatible devices quickly and without the worry of losing a physical SIM in the mail.
Dual SIM Operation
Smartphones equipped with eSIM often also support a traditional physical SIM, allowing users to operate two lines or subscriptions simultaneously. Devices that combine eSIM technology and slots for physical SIM cards dominate the market, including models from Google Pixel, Motorola, OnePlus, Sony, and Xiaomi.
It’s possible for manufacturers to embed dual eSIMs in smartphones, enabling the use of two separate phone lines simultaneously without needing a physical SIM. Apple has offered dual eSIM support since the iPhone 13, and Samsung introduced it with the Galaxy S24, marking a new milestone in smartphone connectivity.
This eSIM technology represents a leap towards more flexible and efficient mobile communication solutions, promising reduced costs and improved service offerings from carriers forced to compete in a rapidly evolving market.
