The eSIM (or embedded SIM) is not a new technology, having been around for several years. However, fitness-oriented smartwatches and smartphones such as the Google Pixel series, Samsung Galaxy S and Z-series, and Apple iPhones, particularly the iPhone 14, are swiftly becoming mainstream.
What is an eSIM?
If the name hasn't already made it clear, an embedded SIM (eSIM) is essentially a conventional SIM card chip that has been permanently integrated into the motherboard of a watch or smartphone. An eSIM has a few parts that were previously separate from your phone's internal organs, much like a standard SIM card does. Additionally, they serve the same purpose, serving as a special identifier for telecom providers and other users to locate your precise smartphone when they call or text you.
Nevertheless, being affixed to the motherboard also enables reprogramming, enabling customers to transfer carriers without having to swap out any actual SIM cards. Despite potential prospective use cases, eSIMs, which were introduced in 2012, have not yet totally replaced regular SIMs. This is because eSIMs have some drawbacks in addition to their advantages.
Advantages of eSIMs
Convenience: Convenience is the primary benefit. A one-time process will be required if you don't frequently deal with changing SIM cards or phones. When you travel to a different state or nation and may wish to transfer to a different operator, it will also save you the trip to a telecom store or service center. You can move between profiles quickly without physically switching cards or continually activating a SIM thanks to the ability to save numerous SIM profiles in your eSIM.
Security: Lock screens, biometric activation, and support for remote locking may prevent attackers from using a physical SIM card-enabled phone if you lose it. However, they may still take out your SIM card and put it in another unlocked phone, allowing them to make calls, send texts, or, worse yet, use your phone number to access your bank or social media accounts. The process is quicker and simpler for attackers than you may imagine. Since there is no physical component to remove and insert into another device, an eSIM prevents this.
Disadvantages of eSIMs
Emergencies: Your communication will be completely cut off if your phone breaks down, runs out of battery, or just falls and cracks its screen. Meanwhile, conventional SIMs may be easily removed from the harmed phone and put into a backup device or alternative phone.
Telcos have more control: An eSIM may spare you the trip to the telecom operator's store to purchase your SIM card, but you'll still have to rely on your operator to transfer phones. While this may not be a concern for most people, many are concerned about the power this provides operators, who may decide to charge extra for eSIM plans or switch phones in the future. People who constantly swap phones may not want to contact operators repeatedly.
Should you get an eSIMs
This will be determined by your use cases and requirements. Switching to an eSIM will make little difference for most consumers who already have a conventional SIM card. Those concerned about the privacy and security of their SIM cards can use eSIM to lock their identification with their cellphones in the event of theft.
In terms of the iPhone 14 series, the Indian edition will include both a SIM card slot and eSIM capability, letting you select between the two technologies as you see fit. You will only need to use an eSIM if you purchase an iPhone 14 series smartphone from the United States.
Regarding the question of whether eSIMs will completely replace physical SIM cards, that may be feasible in the future, but for the time being, expect the plastic SIM cards to remain relevant given that the majority of smartphones across the lower segments rely on the technology and that there are advantages of physical SIM cards for which there isn't yet a workaround. Understanding eSIMs, their benefits,and drawbacks
Yash Ranjan09/15/2022
The eSIM (or embedded SIM) is not a new technology, having been around for several years. However, fitness-oriented smartwatches and smartphones such as the Google Pixel series, Samsung Galaxy S and Z-series, and Apple iPhones, particularly the iPhone 14, are swiftly becoming mainstream.
What is an eSIM?
If the name hasn't already made it clear, an embedded SIM (eSIM) is essentially a conventional SIM card chip that has been permanently integrated into the motherboard of a watch or smartphone. An eSIM has a few parts that were previously separate from your phone's internal organs, much like a standard SIM card does. Additionally, they serve the same purpose, serving as a special identifier for telecom providers and other users to locate your precise smartphone when they call or text you.
Nevertheless, being affixed to the motherboard also enables reprogramming, enabling customers to transfer carriers without having to swap out any actual SIM cards. Despite potential prospective use cases, eSIMs, which were introduced in 2012, have not yet totally replaced regular SIMs. This is because eSIMs have some drawbacks in addition to their advantages.
Advantages of eSIMs
Convenience: Convenience is the primary benefit. A one-time process will be required if you don't frequently deal with changing SIM cards or phones. When you travel to a different state or nation and may wish to transfer to a different operator, it will also save you the trip to a telecom store or service center. You can move between profiles quickly without physically switching cards or continually activating a SIM thanks to the ability to save numerous SIM profiles in your eSIM.
Security: Lock screens, biometric activation, and support for remote locking may prevent attackers from using a physical SIM card-enabled phone if you lose it. However, they may still take out your SIM card and put it in another unlocked phone, allowing them to make calls, send texts, or, worse yet, use your phone number to access your bank or social media accounts. The process is quicker and simpler for attackers than you may imagine. Since there is no physical component to remove and insert into another device, an eSIM prevents this.
Disadvantages of eSIMs
Emergencies: Your communication will be completely cut off if your phone breaks down, runs out of battery, or just falls and cracks its screen. Meanwhile, conventional SIMs may be easily removed from the harmed phone and put into a backup device or alternative phone.
Telcos have more control: An eSIM may spare you the trip to the telecom operator's store to purchase your SIM card, but you'll still have to rely on your operator to transfer phones. While this may not be a concern for most people, many are concerned about the power this provides operators, who may decide to charge extra for eSIM plans or switch phones in the future. People who constantly swap phones may not want to contact operators repeatedly.
Should you get an eSIMs
This will be determined by your use cases and requirements. Switching to an eSIM will make little difference for most consumers who already have a conventional SIM card. Those concerned about the privacy and security of their SIM cards can use eSIM to lock their identification with their cellphones in the event of theft.
In terms of the iPhone 14 series, the Indian edition will include both a SIM card slot and eSIM capability, letting you select between the two technologies as you see fit. You will only need to use an eSIM if you purchase an iPhone 14 series smartphone from the United States.
Regarding the question of whether eSIMs will completely replace physical SIM cards, that may be feasible in the future, but for the time being, expect the plastic SIM cards to remain relevant given that the majority of smartphones across the lower segments rely on the technology and that there are advantages of physical SIM cards for which there isn't yet a workaround. 
