eSIM: The Future generation SIM card
It all started with that large 2FF mini SIM card then we moved to micro SIM and then to nano SIM. Nano SIM was much smaller than the mini sim and mainly consisted that metal strip. Now the next advancement has totally removed the SIM card! Latest SIM is called eSIM (Embedded SIM) or digital SIM which is almost half the size of current micro SIM.
[sc_fs_faq sc_id=”fs_faqbjyyoyudo” html=”false” headline=”p” img=”” question=”What is an e-SIM?” img_alt=”” css_class=”” ]eSIM stands for Embedded SIM or eUICC(embedded Universal Circuit Card). It is a small rewritable chip inside the phone which will replace the physical SIM card.[/sc_fs_faq]What is an eSIM? eSIM stands for Embedded SIM or eUICC(embedded Universal Circuit Card). It is a small rewritable chip inside the phone which will replace the physical SIM card. Here the term rewritable means you can change your operator with just a call within minutes and the software will do the rest. This embedded SIM works in similar way to NFC chip that is used for payment.
Adopting eSIM gives mobile manufacturers a bit of more space to work and stuff new features. We know the future phones will not have physical sim card and memory card tray. This will seal off one more slot and will give better protection from liquid and dust.
Headphone jack has already started saying good bye. Technically future phones will be totally sealed inside the metal frame with no opening. Charging will be replaced by wireless charging and even that ear speaker is going and that is being replaced by bone conduction technology. So, all this collectively will make the phones thinner, completely bezel less displays and providing more space for manufacturers to play with design.
What devices support eSIM in 2018?
Currently iPhones XS, XS Max, XR, iPad Pro and Apple watch series 3 and 4 support eSIM along with physical sim card. Google Pixel 2 and Pixel 3 also support eSIM. We can safely predict that no manufacturer will completely move to eSIM this year as network providers still need to catch on with this latest technology. Although few providers have already started the eSIM service but not all.
You can have multiple eSIM profiles installed on the chip but only one will be active at any given time. You can switch between the networks seamlessly.
What networks support eSIM in India, US and UK?
As of now in India, Airtel and Reliance Jio offer eSIM facility in India. Vodafone Idea (Now both companies have merged to fight Jio) recently announced that it’s ready to work on eSIM.
In US currently four providers are providing eSIM facility and they are AT&T, T mobile USA, Truphone and Verizon wireless.
In UK Truphone and EE offers the eSIM facility to their customers.
[bctt tweet=”The future of SIM cards is NO SIM card!” username=”newtonbaba3″]
Except few phones (That too expensive flagship) no phone manufacturers are offering eSIM. Nonetheless, by the end of next year most of the companies will completely move to eSIM.
That was all we had for the eSIM, I know you must definitely have something to say or ask or what cons it has. Drop your thoughts in the comment section below and let’s see what everyone has got to say about this technology.
