eSIM vs SIM: Things you should know before getting into, eSIM Pros and Cons

By Ashiqur R.
29 June, 2022
1 year ago
5 Mins Read
News
494

SIM cards we all are familiar with but what is an eSIM? Is it an electronic SIM card they're talking about? Let's find it out in this article.

SIM stands for Subscriber Identity Module, which is a chip-enabled plastic card. Using a SIM card we can get connected to our desired carrier supplier. We can make calls, text, or use the internet using a SIM card and it has to be inserted into the mobile device. Just like shown in the picture below.

esim vs sim card, advatgaes and disadvantages, pros and cons

Photo Courtesy: Magenta Telekom

But eSIM which stands for Embedded SIM or Embedded Subscriber Identity Module is an approach to making a green world. It uses much less plastic than the regular SIM card. An eSIM is installed on the main circuit board of a mobile device. The user doesn't need to insert it anywhere. All we have to do is to switch it to the desired career. The information stored inside an eSIM is rewritable. But as it solves a lot of problems, at the same time it leaves few issues. Let's see a few pros and cons of choosing eSIM over a regular SIM card.

Pros:

  • Easier to switch over carrier networks
  • Allows you to have multiple(up to 5) virtual SIM options
  • Enables a mobile device to have more than one SIM without having any extra SIM tray
  • Use very less space in mobile devices
  • eSIM can't be ejected so it could save a device from thieves(by constantly tracking

Cons:

  • Not easy when changing the mobile device
  • Chance of losing data when the device stops working or gets permanently damaged, because every SIM can store up to certain amount of contacts, messages and others.
  • Chance of getting tracked continuously as you can't eject it

Do all phone supports eSIM?

The answer is No. Because mobile manufacturers have to keep it in-built on the device's main board otherwise you can't use eSIM features. But at current days, most smartphone brands provide eSIM support on their devices such as Apple, Samsung, Google, Motorola, and a few others.

Brands with e-SIM supporting mobile devices mentioned below:

Apple

  1. iPhone 13, 13 Pro, 13 Pro Max, 13 Mini
  2. iPhone 12, 12 Pro, 12 Pro Max, 12 Mini
  3. iPhone SE
  4. iPhone 11, 11 Pro, 11 Pro Max
  5. iPhone XS, XS Max
  6. iPhone XR
  7. iPad Pro 12.9‑inch (4th generation)
  8. iPad Pro 12.9‑inch (3rd generation)
  9. iPad Pro 11‑inch (2nd generation)
  10. iPad Pro 11‑inch (1st generation)
  11. iPad Air (4th generation)
  12. iPad Air (3rd generation)
  13. iPad (8th generation)
  14. iPad (7th generation)
  15. iPad mini (5th generation)
  16. Apple Watch SE
  17. Apple Watch Series 7 Aluminum
  18. Apple Watch Series 7


Samsung

  1. Samsung Galaxy S22 5G, Ultra 5G, S22
  2. Samsung Fold LTE model
  3. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G
  4. Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5G
  5. Samsung Galaxy Z Flip
  6. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold2 5G
  7. Samsung Galaxy Fold
  8. Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G
  9. Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G
  10. Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra, Ultra 5G
  11. Samsung Galaxy Note 20 FE 5G
  12. Samsung Galaxy Note 20 FE
  13. Samsung Galaxy S20, S20+ and S20 Ultra
  14. Samsung Galaxy Watch
  15. Samsung Galaxy Watch3
  16. Samsung Galaxy Watch4
  17. Samsung Galaxy Watch4 Classic

Google

  1. Google Pixel 6 Pro
  2. Google Pixel 6
  3. Google Pixel 5a 5G
  4. Google Pixel 5
  5. Google Pixel 4a
  6. Google Pixel 4
  7. Google Pixel 3 & 3XL (Limited support)
  8. Google Pixel 2

Motorola

  1. Motorola Razr 5G

Huawei

  1. Huawei P40 Pro
  2. Huawei Mate P40 Pro
  3. Huawei P40

Sony

  1. Sony Xperia 1 IV
  2. Sony Xperia 10 IV
  3. Sony Xperia 10 III Lite

According to our last update these are the devices which support e-SIM features. You can check out these devices from our specification page as well and find out what other amazing features they support!

Should you get an eSIM?

We'll say, for sure, why not, to make a greener world it could be such a step!

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