Everything you need to know about an eSIM

You probably know what a SIM card is since it has been used for a long time now on both old and new phones. Even pay-as-you-go services are still using SIM cards these days, but in these times of constant upgrades, you will now find most phones having an eSIM instead of a physical SIM card. However, not a lot of people are aware of this, and that is why you need to learn more about it. Below is everything you need to know about an eSIM that will allow you to understand it better.

What exactly is a SIM card?

To start with, a SIM card or a subscriber identity module is basically a card that goes into a special tray that slides into your phone. It is normally supplied by a carrier that assigns a specific number to it. SIM cards are able to store messages, contact lists, and more, and while they are not used these days with the advancement in smartphones, they are still very important. This is because, without a SIM card, your phone will not be able to receive or make any calls at all. The SIM card comes in different cuts, such as the standard, mini, micro, and nano cut, which would fit the phone that you are using, depending on your choice. The most important part is that you can remove it from your device to another in case you are upgrading to a new phone.

The eSIM

Now that you know about the SIM, you can now learn about the eSIM. The eSIM or the embedded SIM card is one that you cannot remove. It is programmable and is connected straight to your smartphone. It can do everything that a SIM does except be removed from the phone unless you open it and unsolder the chip itself from the motherboard of your phone. This might seem troubling when you think about it, but for a lot of reasons, it is actually very convenient. For instance, instead of having to go to a store to get a new sim, you can switch it right out just by scanning a QR or configuring the sim card on your device. You should be able to switch cards without many problems, and it even supports multiple accounts and easily switches on them. However, it would still depend on your local provider, and that is certainly one of the common disadvantages of your eSIM.

Devices with eSIM

As not a lot of people are aware of it yet, this basically means that there are only limited devices that come with an eSIM for now. This includes Google’s Pixel 2, Galaxy S20, MS’s Pro LTE, Apple Watch Series 3, and 2018 iPad Pro. This means that if you are looking into using an eSIM, it would be great to check out the devices mentioned previously. It would also be important to understand that US iPhones are now fully utilizing eSIMs.

When can you start using an eSIM?

Well, as soon as your mobile device is opened, you can start using your eSIM easily. You just need a laptop that has an internet connection, and then you can easily activate it without any problem. It should not be that hard to figure it out, so you might as well try it and see how it works. Having an eSIM has its advantages and its disadvantages; it is up to you to fully utilize its features and to make the best out of it. You just need to learn more about how to actually use it, and once you get the hang of it, things should work out the way that you want them to.