12.06.24
If you’ve been shopping around for a phone, then you’ve probably come across the term eSIM quite a bit. It's not surprising, as according to OpenSignal, while only 0.5% –1.5% of all devices in the US had dual-SIM usage in 2023, that usage is growing rapidly, nearly doubled in the past year alone.
And if you don’t know what eSIM or dual-SIM means, we’ve put together this guide to answer your questions of: What is an eSIM, what are the advantages of an eSIM, what carriers support eSIM (and more!) so you can make the best decision on the phone – and the plan – that works best for you.
What is an eSIM?
An eSIM is a digital version of a SIM card embedded directly into your device without needing a physical SIM card by scanning a QR code or link provided by the carriers. The “e” stands for “embedded,” which just means that it can be activated on your phone without the physical card. If you didn’t know how SIM cards work, they’re a tool that is issued out by specific carriers that is then inserted into a phone and connects to the corresponding carrier’s network to give you data (and cellular) access.
Essentially, without a SIM card, you’re not able to use your phone away from Wi-Fi.
Type of eSIM
There are two types of eSIM: Data-Only and SMS, Voice, and Data. Different eSIMs are designed for different types of users. The Data-Only eSIM provides data use only.
SMS, Voice, and data eSIMs include calling and texting. Before purchasing an eSIM, users will need to better understand what kinds meet their requirements.
The main difference between Data Only eSIM and SMS, Voice, and Data eSIM is that you can call and text. We provided more detailed information below:
Data-only eSIM: The data-only eSIM is exactly what it is called. It is designed for users who can only use data but cannot call or text. Data-only eSIM provides full coverage around the world. If you are a heavy traveler who travels globally and only uses the wifi without calling or texting, you can purchase a local or global-only eSIM.
SMS, Voice, and Data eSIM: This is an all-in-one type of eSIM that allows you to call, text, and use data anywhere. It offers global roaming coverage and standard mobile services. This type of eSIM is more cost-efficient, flexible, and uninterrupted to ensure you are connected.
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What can eSIMs do?
eSIMs are embedded in the device and programmable remotely, offering more flexibility to users when they manage their devices and plans. You can easily add or remove plans and numbers and switch to different carriers without waiting to receive the physical SIM card.
Advantages of an eSIM
Flexibility: Without the physical SIM, you can easily activate your phone on any new carrier without having to physically obtain and then swap out SIM cards.
TextNow Tip: eSIMs are a great solution for travel! Purchase an eSIM ahead of your international trip, and activate it on location to continue receiving service (cheaper than roaming!).
Ease/Convenience: You can more easily remotely activate your new carrier's service with an eSIM, rather than following a physical SIM insertion process.
Eco-Friendliness: eSIMs manage to do away with the unnecessary packaging of a physical SIM, plus the emissions from shipping a physical SIM for a more environmentally-friendly solution.
Disadvantages of an eSIM
Limited Carrier Support: Currently, not all carriers support eSIM activation (TextNow does not currently support eSIM). While it is a growing technology, and that limitation will likely change in the upcoming years, it is still something you'd best look up directly with whatever carrier you're considering switching to.
Limited Device Support: Since eSIM is a relatively new technology, it stands that it's only supported by newer devices. For example, in 2022 Apple announced that all their phones, starting with the iPhone 14 model, will now only support eSIM (no physical SIM slots.)
According to Keepgo, we expected that by 2025, 60% of all smartphone sales will be eSIM compatible, the reality is that the amount of people with actual eSIM compatible phones is much lower than that.No Physical Backup: While eSIMs can make your life easier, they can also make it harder when your phone no longer works. If you have issues with connecting to a network, or your phone truly is dead/damaged and you need to switch over to a new one, it's no longer as easy as taking out the SIM and swapping it over.
What carrier is best to use for eSIM support?
The big 3 carriers in the US support eSIM (Verizon, TMobile, and AT&T), we'd recommend looking into one of their cheaper MVNO (Mobile Virtual Network Operator) carriers, like Visible and US Mobile to find an affordable plan that can also support eSIM. Orange and Vodafone are the main carriers that offer eSIM in Europe.
How does an eSIM work?
The difference with an eSIM is that it’s programmable remotely, so you don’t have to purchase a physical SIM. It can be activated easily from everywhere you are.
How do I activate an eSIM?
Once you pick the phone plan you want, contact that carrier to activate your eSIM. They will then provide instructions for scanning a QR code to activate your eSIM on that plan. We have provided step-by-step guidance below:
Receive a QR code from your carrier: Contact your carrier to request an eSIM. Technically, your selected carrier will provide you with a QR code or a link to scan.
Scan the provided QR code: Scan the QR code using the mobile device with which you want to use the eSIM.
iPhone: Open your camera app or QR code app to scan.
Android: Open the settings app on your mobile device, click the connections, click SIM card manager, and then click to scan the QR code.
Follow the instructions on your mobile device: After scanning the QR code, your mobile device will ask you to select or manually insert information. After you complete all the steps, you will activate the eSIM successfully.
Can I use eSIM on any phone?
Since this is a newer technology (widely made more recognizable when Apple introduced their eSIM-only iPhone in 2022), only newer models –both iOS and Android – will be able to recognize and use eSIMs (over physical SIM cards).
How do I know if my phone supports eSIM?
Apple: If you're getting an iPhone 14 or newer, you can bet 100% it supports eSIM. However, their older models also supported it in a dual-SIM capacity, so those would be: iPhone XR, XS, iPhone 11, 12, and 13.
You can also check by heading over to Apple's website to make sure the phone you currently have (or are looking to buy) supports it.
Android: Since there are so many other Android models than iPhones, listing them off by each model gets a little long.
If you already have an Android phone, and want to check if it supports eSIM, you can easily undertake a quick search on your phone's settings:
Go to Settings: Open the Settings app, then navigate to Network & Internet or Connections.
Look for eSIM Options: If you see options like SIM Card Manager or Add eSIM, your phone supports eSIM.
You can, alternatively, head over to that manufacturer's website as well (Samsung, Google, Motorola, Huawei, etc) to confirm whether your model supports eSIM or not.
Can I have dual eSIM on my phone? Or physical SIM and eSIM?
The answer here is yes, yes, and no! Let's dig into that:
Apple: For an iPhone that is an iPhone 14 or newer (15, 16), they only support eSIM, so you will not have a physical SIM slot. The good news is that those phones support dual eSIM, so you can in fact have two phone carriers providing you service, or in this case, it can make travelling (without roaming) much easier.
For an older iPhone (iPhone 13 – iPhone X), you will only have single eSIM support, but they do also come with a physical SIM slot, so you have more flexibility.
Android: The good news here is that Android is more flexible/available to be used with more carriers, as most eSIM-enabled phones do also come with a physical SIM slot, making them dual SIM phones (one eSIM, one physical).
eSIM vs. Physical SIM
The main difference between eSIM and a physical SIM is the convenience of activation. An eSIM can be easily and quickly activated remotely, without having to walk through a step-by-step insertion and activation process. When it comes to the quality of service after activation, though, there is no difference.
There are enough pros and cons to both that if you're looking for a new phone, we'd recommend finding a dual-SIM one that supports both eSIM and physical SIM, so your options are broad for a carrier plan, and you never have to worry about swapping over carriers, and/or phones.
