What is an eSIM ?

eSIM was first introduced in 2013 when the GSMA announced that it was developing a new kind of permanent technology for mobile devices,  allowing users to switch carriers without swapping SIM cards physically.

eSIM only started to achieve significant traction when leading tech enterprises started incorporating it into their devices around 2016 and 2017: Google's Pixel 2, launched in October 2017, was among the initial Android phones to feature eSIM capability. Apple introduced eSIM with its iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR models in September 2018, marking a significant step for Apple devices in adopting this technology.

Its real rise in popularity surged with Apple's iPhone 14 series adoption, making eSIMs a mainstream choice as the US version of the iPhone 14 was eSIM only.

But what really is an eSIM and what are the benefits of the technology?

An eSIM, or Embedded Subscriber Identity Module, also known as an Embedded Universal Integrated Circuit Card (eUICC), is a modern SIM technology built directly into your device. 

Unlike traditional SIM cards that you can swap out, an eSIM is permanently installed in your device's motherboard. Since it is embedded in the motherboard of your device, you can't remove and transfer it to another device. 

eSIM and SIM cards are pretty much the same thing, and at least serve the same purpose : they enable your device to access mobile networks for calls, texts, and data, and can be used in a wide range of devices beyond phones, like tablets, smartwatches, and drones. 

The key advantage of eSIM technology is its convenience, especially for frequent travelers : with an eSIM, there's no need to physically swap out SIM cards; you can switch plans or carriers digitally, or “Over the Air” (OTA).

 At the moment, most smartphones offer a dual-SIM setup : a physical SIM card and an eSIM, which enables maximum flexibility to switch phone plans as you travel. We’ll come to that right below.  

Why Travelers should Opt for eSIM

For travelers, eSIM technology is a game-changer. Since an eSIM is a chip that is rewritable and programmable, it means you can now switch carriers without the need to physically replace a SIM card—offering unmatched convenience and flexibility. This single feature gives a myriad of benefits to travelers:

Unparalleled flexibility to switch plans and providers

eSIM technology revolutionizes how we connect while traveling, offering unmatched flexibility and convenience for switching service plans and providers. The process of purchasing a travel SIM card is a thing of the past. 

Now, you can buy, receive, remove and re-install another SIM once you find a better plan or carrier. With your eSIM-enabled smartphone, you can store multiple carrier profiles on your device and switch between them as needed, though only one can be active at a time.

Travel-friendly

eSIM is especially great for travel : 

• Purchase and activate when you want : allowing you to purchase and activate plans anytime and anywhere—before departure, upon landing, or even from your hotel room or Airbnb, as long as you have an internet connection. This eliminates waiting in airport queues, navigating SIM card counters' operating hours, and overcoming language barriers associated with buying a local SIM. There's no need to order a prepaid SIM in advance, sparing you from additional travel preparation hassles.

• Keep your main phone line activated while travelling : eSIM offers a dual-SIM functionality (dual SIM + eSIM or dual eSIM) that enables you to maintain your main phone line active for calls and texts, while using a separate travel data plan for internet access. 

• Many prepaid eSIM providers already offer thousands of travel plans : a wide array of providers, including local carriers and third-party companies, offer prepaid eSIM plans tailored to meet the needs of global travelers. This diverse marketplace ensures that you can find a plan that best fits your travel itinerary, whether you prioritize data volume, coverage, or cost. With options ranging from local carriers that provide the best network experience in their respective countries to third-party providers specializing in flexible and comprehensive global coverage, the choice is yours.

Environmentally friendly

SIM cards are made of plastics while eSIMs use very little materials. The latter also use limited packaging, unlike the traditional SIM Cards. 

eSIMs are likewise reprogrammable. So, users are not required to discard them when they want to upgrade or change carriers. This approach reduced electronic waste, minimizing our carbon footprint and benefiting mother nature.

Enhanced Security

Privacy and security concerns are hot topics when new innovative technologies are made. However, rest assured that eSIMs enhance our security and privacy for the following reasons:

• Prevents Fraud and Identity Theft : If you lose your phone with a regular SIM, someone can easily remove it and use it on their device. They can easily text and call while pretending to be you and scam others or use your phone number to hack your bank account or social media accounts.

• Secured Storage : eSIMs keep your credentials are user profile in an encrypted area of your device, protecting you from hacking incidents, unauthorized access, and information theft.

• Remote SIM Provisioning : Remote provisioning is possible with eSIMs. This means you can activate and manage carrier plans and other mobile subscriptions remotely. For this reason, the risk of tampering and hacking attempts on sensitive data can be prevented or at least reduced. 

 

Can I Use eSIM on my device ?

 You can use an eSIM if : 

• You have a recent iPhone : for iPhone users, models from the iPhone XR and later typically support eSIM functionality, allowing both digital eSIM use and a physical SIM card. Apple devices like the iPhone XR, iPhone XS Max, iPhone XS, iPhone 11 series, iPhone 12 series, iPhone 13 series, iPhone 14, and iPhone 15 series support eSIM. Do note that the iPhone 14 series in the US has transitioned fully to eSIM (there is not SIM card slot). Note that devices purchased in China and more recently Hong Kong don’t include eSIM, for the most.
  
  
• You have an Android device that is eSIM compatible : Android users also have a wide array of eSIM-compatible options, with leading manufacturers like Google, Samsung, and Huawei incorporating eSIM technology into their latest devices.
  
  
• Your mobile carrier offers an eSIM : You can use an eSIM wherever you are as long as your home country or travel destination has a mobile carrier that offers it. However, you must also keep in mind that it’s often complicated to use an eSIM from a local mobile carrier as a foreigner. Thus, your best bet is to use eSIMs from international providers.
  
  
• Provider Lock Considerations : While the convenience of eSIM is clear, it's crucial to understand any provider lock constraints. Some devices might be locked to a specific carrier's network, limiting the ability to switch eSIM profiles freely. This is especially common with carrier-sold devices under contract. Before purchasing an eSIM plan, ensure your device is either unlocked or compatible with the eSIM provider you're considering.

For more details, check this article to know whether you can use a phone that supports eSIM. 

How can I purchase and activate an eSIM?

Before you purchase an eSIM, check if your device is eSIM compatible and not carrier locked. 

Buy an eSIM plan from a carrier's app or website.

 If your device can use eSIM, the next step is finding the best eSIM provider. If you are to use an eSIM in your home country, it's ideal to use local carrier services to enjoy the best coverage. 

But if you're a traveller, your best bet is to avail yourself of third-party eSIM providers. This is because local carriers in your travel destination may require a rigorous eSIM registration, like the Philippines and Brazil. 

 With an eSIM MVNO or third-party provider, you're free to activate it before or right upon arrival in your destination country. No need to present your identification, visa, and other documentary requirements. 

Some of the most popular eSIM MVNOs are Airalo, Maya, Nomad, Holafly, and many others. 

Activation process

For the eSIM to work on your device, you must activate it through the download eSIM package. If you buy an eSIM at a phone store, the packaging comes with a QR code that you should scan to activate the eSIM. 

On the flip side, if you purchase an eSIM online, you will receive a QR code via email from the eSIM provider. You are also free to activate it manually on your phone by following certain steps via email. 

For a more detailed process of activating your eSIM, check out this guide if you're using an iPhone and this article if you're an Android user.  

Which Countries and Carriers Support eSIM? 

Almost all countries you can think of support eSIM. Unfortunately, though, China doesn't support this latest innovation. While you can use eSIM in the said country, their local carriers don't offer eSIM, and smartphones bought in China are not likewise eSIM compatible. 

 Moreover, most countries and their telco providers have already adopted eSIM. Here's a list of the countries and their corresponding carriers that support eSIM. 

Note: this is not an exhaustive list. 

Sources : 

https://support.apple.com/en-ph/HT209096

https://esim.holafly.com/how-to/esim-carriers/ 

Countries	Network Provider
1. Albania	Vodafone
2. Angola	Unitel
3. Argentina	Personal
4. Armenia	Ucom
5. Australia	Optus, Telstra. Truphone, Vodaphone
6. Austria	Drei, T-mobile. Magenta
7. Bahrain	Batelco, Viva, Zain
8. Bangladesh	Banglalink, Grameenphone, Robi
9. Belarus	A1
10. Belgium	Ubigi
11. Brazil	Claro, Vivo
12. Cambodia	Smart Axiata
13. Canada	Bell, Fido, Freedom, Kodo, Lucky Mobile, Rogers, Sakstel, Telus, Virgin
14. Chile	Movistar
15. Colombia	Movistar
16. Croatia	A1, Hrvatski Telecom
17. Czech Republic	T-mobile, Vodaphone
18. Denmark	3
19. Ecuador	Movistar
20. Estonia	Tele2, Telia
21. Finland	Telia
22. France	Orange, SFR, Ubigi
23. Germany	Cosmote, Telecom, Vodafone
24. Greece	Iconnect, IT&E
25. Hongkong	1010, 3, CSL, China Mobile Hongkong, SmarTone, Truphone
26. Hungary	Magyar Telekom
27. India	Airtel, Reliance Jio
28. Italy	Lliad, Fastweb, TIM, Vodafone, Wind Tre
29. Japan	Au, NTT DOCOMO, Rakuten, SoftBank
30. Jordan	Orange, Umniah
31. Kazakhztan	Kcell
32. Kuwait	Ooredoo, Viva, Zain
33. Latvia	LMT
34. Lebanon	Alfa
35. Luxembourg	MTX Connect, POST, Ubigi
36. Malaysia	Celcom, Digi, Maxis, U Mobile
37. Mexico	AT&T
38. Morocco	Inwi, Maroc Telecom, Orange
39. Netherlands	Netherlands, Truphone, Ubigi, Vodaphone
40. New Zealand	Spark
41. Nicaragua	Tigo
42. Nigeria	9mobile, Airtel, MTN
43. Norway	Onecall, Telenor, Telia
44. Oman	Omantel, Ooredoo, Vodafone
45. Pakistan	Ufone
46. Philippines	Globe, Smart
47. Poland	Orange, Truphone, T-mobile
48. Portugal	MEO, NOS
49. Puerto Rico	AT&T, T-Mobile USA
50. Qatar	Ooredoo, Vodafone
51. Romania	Orange, Vodfone
52. Saudi Arabia	Mobily, STC, Zain
53. Senegal	Free
54. Singapore	M1
55. Slovakia	Orange, O2, Slovak Telecom
56. South Africa	MTN, Telkom, Vodacom
57. South Korea	LG U+, KT, SK Telecom
58. Spain	Movistar, Orange, Pepephone, Truphone, Vodaphone, Yoigo
59. Sri Lanka	Dialog
60. Sweden	3, Comviq, Tele2, Teleno, Telia
61. Switzerland	Salt, Sunrise, Swisscom, Ubigi
62. Taiwan	APT, Chunghwa Telecom, FarEastTone, Taiwan Mobile
63. Thailand	AIS, dtac, TruEMove H
United Arab Emirates	du, Etisalat, Virgin Mobile
United Kingdom	Truphone, Ubigi, O2, EE
United States of America	AT&T, Boost Mobile, Boost Infinite, Caroline West Wireless, Cellcom, Credo Mobile, Cricket, C Spire, First Net, GCI Alaska, H20 Wireless, Nex Tech Wireless, Straight Talk, T-Mobile USA, Truphone, Ubigi, Verizon Wireless, Xfinity Mobile
64. Vietnam	Mobifone, Viettel, Vinaphone

 

What are international or MVNO eSIM providers?

eSIM is exploding! This means you’re not limited to the local carriers when choosing the best eSIM for your everyday use or travelling. Here are international eSIM providers available in the market. 

• Airalo
• AIRSIMe
• aloSIM
• BNESIM
• BreatheSIM
• CMLink eSIM
• DENT Wireless
• eSIM GO
• Flexiroam
• GigSky
• GoMoWorld
• MTX Connect
• Numero
• Redtea Mobile
• Soracom Mobile
• Truphone
• UPeSIM
• Ubigi
• USIMS
• Voye
• Webbing
• Yesim

Source: https://support.apple.com/en-ph/HT209096

What are SIM cards?

Let's start with the basics: SIM cards, or  Subscriber Identity Module, are microchips stored in your phone that store essential information. 

A SIM card enables you to access mobile networks, allowing you to make calls, text, and browse the web. But as the demand for better technology and the need for smaller SIMs continues, SIM card technology has developed over time. 

As a result, micro and nano-sized SIM cards came into existence. This progression led to the creation of eSIMs, designed to save even more space by integrating directly into your device's hardware.  

The Bottom Line: Do You Need to Get an eSIM?

Absolutely! As the traveling season looms, now is the best time to switch to a technology that many of us have ignored over the years. Travelling with SIM cards is quite a hassle because you always need to carry a pin to pull out the card tray. Not to mention, you need to be very careful not to lose the thumbnail-sized physical SIM.  

When returning from your much-needed trip, you only need to switch to your domestic eSIM provider through your phone’s settings. The simplicity and security of it make the eSIM worth the switch.  

Do you travel often? Or do you have a trip coming up? Check esims.com offers today to get the best eSIM plans for your needs!