What is an eSIM and how does it work?

Over the years we’ve all gotten used to those clunky 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 hassle. You’ll need a replacement device shipped from your carrier, which can take a few days and mean you’ll be without your phone number.

However, these inconveniences may soon be a thing of the past as eSIM technology is fast becoming the industry standard.

Starting with the iPhone 14 series in 2022, Apple smartphones in the US will no longer have a physical SIM card slot. Android phones still have it all, but many offer an option for eSIM. Which begs the question…

What is an eSIM?

An eSIM stands for ’embedded SIM’ and serves as a digital replacement for traditional physical SIM cards, similar to how eBooks replace physical books and eTickets enable mobile boarding without the need for printed tickets.

How to choose and use an eSIM

In Great Britain you can request an eSIM from providers such as EE, O2, Vodafone And Threewhile 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 carriers offer online tools to determine compatibility.

Check out our guide to the best UK phone networks to see what other benefits these companies have to offer in Britain.

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

If you travel regularly, Saily is a great alternative that works in more than 150 countries around the world. It allows users to choose from different data plans, making it a companion for international travelers. With Saily, you can choose from four different plans in most locations, ranging from 1 GB to 20 GB, with options for one week or 30 days.

One of the standout features of Saily is its affordability. Prices vary depending on the country selected, with plans starting at $2.49. This flexibility ensures you can find a plan that suits your data needs and budget, wherever you are in the world.

You can check out Saily by downloading the app from both the App Store and Google Play. Once installed, Saily’s eSIM only requires one setup, eliminating the need to install a new eSIM for every country you visit. This means you can stay connected without the hassle of switching SIM cards every time you cross the border.

How much does an eSIM cost?

The cost of an eSIM varies depending on the provider and subscription you choose.

Overall, eSIM plans can be more cost-effective than traditional roaming plans, especially for international use. Prices depend on the amount of data and the duration of the subscription.

How does an eSIM work?

Setting up an eSIM on compatible phones requires pre-configuration by the carrier or scanning a QR code provided in an eSIM package.

The QR code is scanned with the device and connects to the internet to download eSIM information directly to the phone’s chip, eliminating the need for physical SIM cards or trays.

Stock Photo.Touch / Shutterstock

Stock Photo.Touch / Shutterstock

Stock Photo.Touch / Shutterstock

There are also dual-SIM phones that allow you to have a physical SIM card from one phone network and a corresponding 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 delayed adoption by international carriers, causing manufacturers to add both physical SIM slots and eSIM capabilities. Flagship phones from companies like Apple, Google and Samsung were early adopters, but eSIM support is now expanding to mid-range phones as well.

The most affordable eSIM models at the time of writing include the iPhone SE (2022), Google Pixel 8a and Samsung Galaxy A55, but there are several other good mid-range options that also support the technology.

In addition, eSIM support can also be found in many of today’s top smartwatches, such as the Apple Watch Series 9, Google Pixel Watch 2 and Samsung Galaxy Watch 6, as well as other mobile devices such as tablets and laptops.

Why should I use an eSIM?

Despite being more limited than physical SIM cards in some ways, an eSIM offers a number of unique benefits.

If you need to switch between carriers regularly, an eSIM can make this easier as you don’t have to wait for a physical card to arrive in the post before you can switch networks. All you need to do is scan the new code into your device.

Of course, you’ll still need to make sure your old contract is fulfilled before you can switch, but this is easier than ever thanks to the SMS-to-switch initiative introduced in 2019 that also lets you keep your phone number.

There’s also the benefit that the chip on your phone can store multiple eSIMs at once, meaning you can have one for home and another for work or larger data usage.

Tomek / Pixabay

Tomek / Pixabay

Tomek / Pixabay

But in addition to needing an up-to-date phone, those concerned with privacy will also want to know that you can’t simply delete an eSIM like you can a physical SIM card. So it is possible that cybercriminals can take advantage of this.

There’s also the practicality of removing traditional SIM cards and putting them in another device, such as a basic phone, when you’re at festivals or in the wilderness where battery life is very valuable.

eSIM vs regular SIM card

When comparing eSIMs to traditional SIM cards, several benefits make eSIMs a more attractive choice:

1. Convenience: eSIMs can be activated digitally, while physical SIM cards require you to visit a store or purchase them from vendors, which can be more expensive and time-consuming.
2. Flexibility: regular SIM cards are limited to one provider profile. However, eSIMs can store multiple profiles, giving you the flexibility to switch between different plans and carriers seamlessly.
3. Remote activation: You can purchase and activate eSIM plans from the comfort of your own home, while purchasing a physical SIM card often involves additional hassle and potential risks of scams.

See our separate article on the pros and cons of eSIMs for more information.