What is an eSIM card, and how does it work?

An eSIM is a SIM card that is incorporated in a mobile device and may be used to connect to any eSIM-enabled provider.

Furthermore, the eSIM functions similarly to a standard SIM card, but it does not require the use of a real SIM card. It comes pre-installed in the device, and you can activate it by installing a new operator’s “eSIM profile.”

It is, in fact, a development of the physical SIM card. An eSIM card is becoming increasingly common in smartphones, tablets, and computers.

eSIM Installation:

You may quickly install an eSIM profile (supplied by operators/carriers) on an eSIM-compatible device to be able to buy an eSIM data plan when you need it, on the go. You can also utilise several operators and subscribe to multiple data plans at the same time to fit your demands, whether you’re travelling, working from home, or working remotely…

The eSIM is often known as the eUICC (Embedded Universal Circuit Card) or virtual SIM, though there are actually differences between the two.

Even though there is a difference, eSIM and eUICC are sometimes used interchangeably. The eSIM is the hardware component of the SIM and a physical form that can be soldered into a solution. The eUICC is a software component that allows various network profiles to be provisioned remotely using a single SIM card.

Are there any drawbacks to using an eSIM?

In terms of choice, there may be a disadvantage for consumers. It’s likely that if a phone is offered exclusively, all phones will come pre-loaded with a certain network rather than being open to everybody.

People with eSIM phones can’t readily switch phones unless they notify their network. Obviously, that isn’t a factor for the majority of individuals, but it will be for some.

For most individuals using Android or iOS, the days of saving numbers on SIM cards are numbered anyhow owing to cloud backup, but it does need a mental shift for those using older or less expensive phones; you won’t be able to physically swap a SIM card to a new phone.