(Credit: Unknown)
You have almost certainly seen a SIM card: a thumbnail-sized chip that sits somewhere in your mobile phone, telling it which carrier and what phone number you use. Now, those SIMs are going digital (or "e") and moving your information from a static but removable chip to a reprogrammable, embedded chip. Not everyone is happy about it. Here's why.
A SIM card is a "subscriber identity module." Required in all GSM, LTE, and 5G devices, it's a chip that holds your customer ID and details of how your phone can connect to its mobile network. SIMs started out around the size of a postage stamp, but have been getting smaller over the years as device makers reclaim more space inside their gadgets for other electronics. An eSIM takes the circuitry of a SIM, solders it directly to a device's board, and makes it remotely reprogrammable through software.
Mobile eSIM Providers
See all (11 items)
The original drive toward eSIM came in part from the "Internet of Things" industry. Being tiny, and not requiring extra room for a slot, eSIMs can be built into devices like drones, wearables, sensors, and location trackers, where size is of the essence. They can also be soldered into industrial equipment where a SIM card may not be easily accessible. Because they can reprogrammed remotely, it means eSIMs can be managed in bulk. So, say, a company that runs 50,000 vending machines can switch its service plan or provider with the touch of a button from its headquarters.
With smartphones, eSIMs give you much more flexibility in managing your service plans. A fully enabled eSIM device lets you add a second plan, whether you're roaming abroad or if you need a separate work line. It lets you switch providers with a few taps and swipes. And it lets corporate device managers change the service plans on thousands of lines, remotely, all at once. It's a powerfully pro-consumer feature—if implemented correctly.
There are some minor consumer downsides, though. With eSIMs, it's harder to switch one plan between devices—you can't just swap the physical card—and they can make it harder for you to temporarily remove your SIM if you don't want to be tracked by a carrier.
Google's Pixel phones have had eSIMs since 2017, Apple's iPhones have had them since 2018, and Samsung devices have had eSIMs in its Galaxy line since 2020. The feature has also made its way to the more affordable Galaxy S23.
Apple's jump to support eSIM only in the US-bound iPhone 14 has pushed eSIM adoption in a new direction.
What Does eSIM Let You Do?
Simply put, eSIM lets you change your wireless carrier, data, or service plan through software. On eSIM devices, in general, you can go to a menu or take a photo of a QR code to change your carrier or service plan on the fly. You don't need to go to a store, wait for the mail, or fiddle with a tiny chip. You can also often use two different lines on the same device, such as a home and work line, or switch between different plans depending on where you are.
On phones such as the iPhone 14 and 15, you can store up to eight eSIM profiles with any two active at the same time. This gives you an incredible amount of freedom to switch carriers on the fly.
Which Phones Support eSIM?
Nearly all iPhones since the iPhone X support eSIM, with the US-bound iPhone 14 and iPhone 15 series supporting eSIM exclusively (meaning they don't support physical SIM cards). Similarly, phones from the Google Pixel 6, 7, 8, and Fold series support eSIM, as do phones from the Samsung Galaxy S21, S22, S23, and Z Fold/Flip 3, 4, and 5 families. Newer high-level phones from Motorola, including the Edge+ and folding Motorola Razr+ and Razr, as well as the OnePlus 11 and OnePlus Open also support eSIM.
Many devices sold overseas from the likes of Honor, Huawei, Oppo, Realme, Redmi, and Xiaomi also pack eSIM support on board.
Which Tablets and Laptops Support eSIM?
Apple's iPads have a great eSIM interface, where you just pick your provider and plan from an on-device menu. Samsung's Galaxy Tab S9 5G also supports eSIM. US Mobile cites some laptops from Acer, Asus, Dell, HP, Lenovo, Samsung, and Microsoft that support eSIM. Apple laptops do not yet support eSIM or cellular data.
Which US Carriers Support eSIM?
All three of the major US carriers support eSIM, and a quick search of "[Carrier] eSIM" will bring up FAQs from AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon. Their MVNOs do, too, including Cricket, Metro, and Visible.
You'll also find eSIM options from roaming-focused carriers Ubigi, Truphone, and Gigsky, from Google's Fi carrier, and from low-cost prepaid carrier US Mobile. The site eSIMDB has a list of virtual carriers that support eSIM, but most are data-only plans; they don't give you a primary phone number.
How Do You Get and Activate an eSIM?
There are two common ways to program your phone with an eSIM. The simpler one is to pick your provider from an on-device menu, or through a downloadable app, and sign up for a plan that way.
The more complex way involves using a carrier's website to generate a QR code, or having the carrier email you a QR code. You then scan that QR code with a feature in the settings menu of your phone. This is less convenient, but some carriers prefer it because it requires fewer changes to their own systems. A QR-code-based system also works on more phones than an app, which may work only on one OS or phone model.
Is There a Downside to eSIM?
Yes, there's one big one. If you're used to swapping your single SIM card between a bunch of different devices—using several phones with one subscription—that becomes much more difficult with eSIM. Rather than just popping a card in, you'll have to go through the activation process each time you swap. Philosophically, your carrier won't have a problem with this, but logistically, it may really scramble the carrier's activation systems and screw things up. Even now, several years after eSIM began to go mainstream, swapping eSIMs between devices is not as simple or straightforward as it should be.
Does eSIM Have Anything to Do With 5G?
Not really; they're just two standards that came about around the same time. But there is one important link. 5G supports many more devices per square mile, which has gotten the industry excited about activating a lot of little, tiny objects with 5G—sensors, drones, and smart meters, for example. These are exactly the kinds of Internet-of-Things devices that tend to use eSIM, for size and convenience. So eSIM will become more common in the 5G era.
The Future of SIMs
Right now, eSIMs require a dedicated piece of hardware that operates like a traditional SIM card, just smaller than the familiar nano SIM. However, Qualcomm showed off its integrated SIM (iSIM), which builds the SIM module into its Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 system on a chip (SoC). While that SoC can be found in a lot of flagship phones like the Galaxy S23 Ultra, that device did not ship with an iSIM. However, it may just be a matter of time before iSIM becomes the regular choice of handset and tablet makers. For example, iSIM will be built into the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 and, subsequently, the phones that rely on Qualcomm's next-gen SoC.
For more, check out our roundup of the best 5G phones and the best unlocked phones.
Sascha Segan contributed to this story.
Like What You're Reading?
Sign up for Fully Mobilized newsletter to get our top mobile tech stories delivered right to your inbox.
This newsletter may contain advertising, deals, or affiliate links. Subscribing to a newsletter indicates your consent to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You may unsubscribe from the newsletters at any time.
Thanks for signing up!
Your subscription has been confirmed. Keep an eye on your inbox!
Sign up for other newsletters
)