Advantages and disadvantages of eSIM cards: All you need to know

eSIM

Most popular premium smartphone brands are now introducing eSIM cards along with physical SIM cards on their devices. If you’re curious about eSIM technology or have a new mobile device supporting it, you should know how it works and whether you should get one. We explain everything you need to know about eSIM, how eSIMs work, their advantages, and disadvantages.

What is an eSIM?

An embedded SIM (subscriber identity module), also known as an eSIM, is a virtual SIM card that’s built into some smartphones and is non-removable. It performs the same function like a traditional SIM, except that it can be customised to work for a particular operator or network provider, and is soldered to a smartphone’s motherboard.

Advantages of eSIM

No risk of damage or loss - A physical SIM card is a fragile piece of hardware that can scratch or break while swapping phones. Additionally, if you accidentally lose a physical SIM card or it’s stolen, you have to contact your network provider to arrange for a new physical SIM, which is a big hassle. However, with an eSIM, there are no such risks.

Can store multiple profiles - A single eSIM can store upto three or five network profiles Thanks to this feature, you can juggle between multiple supporting devices for calling or messaging, from the same phone number, without worrying about removing and inserting SIM cards all the time.

More convenient for overseas travel - If you are someone who travels overseas a lot of time, then eSIM technology helps you switch to local operators easily. eSIMs allow you to shift to any local operator easily, as soon as you are in that particular area. Moreover, most global network providers now provide global eSIM, which lets you choose any country and switch accordingly.

Disadvantages of eSIM

Difficult to swap phones - Physical SIM cards provide you the convenience of swapping phones with ease, as you just have to remove a SIM from one device and insert it into another to access the network on your device. However, with an eSIM, you must activate it on your new phone and deactivate it from the old one each time you switch devices.

Available in limited premium phones - Currently, eSIM is supported by few premium or flagship phones which are hard to find or are expensive. This means that chances are that an old smartphone might not support this technology.

Complex activation process – Most network providers can activate an eSIM with the help of a stable internet connection or by correctly downloading the particular network profiles. From a security perspective, eSIMs are not very safe, as they can’t be physically removed and are prone to hacking or unwanted background tracking.