What is eSIM and how does it work?

 

HIGHLIGHTS: eSIM has a full form embedded Subscriber Identity Module embedded in your phone, smartwatch or tablet.

In the past few years, we have seen the SIM cards of mobile phones changing from mini to micro and then to Nano. At the same time, now the physical SIM card has disappeared and e-SIM aka embedded SIM card is being replaced. Smartphones coming with eSIM support are present in the Indian market as well as in the international market. Not only this, e-SIM is not limited to phones only. Today it is also being seen in gadgets such as smartwatches, tablets along with smartphones.

What is eSIM?

eSIM has a full form embedded Subscriber Identity Module embedded in your phone, smartwatch or tablet. Actually, eSIM cannot be inserted in the phone like other SIM cards. The company manufactures Isim while manufacturing the phone. It comes only in the hardware of the SIM phone. This saves the space of the phone as well as there is no need to make a separate SIM tray. Nowadays, ISIM is trending in many phones. However, there is no difference between ISIM and regular physical SIM regarding service. Additionally, eSIM supports all regular networks such as 4G / 5G.

You might be thinking that since eSIM is not removed, would it be locked on just one network? Thankfully not because eSIM is portable. This means that you can easily switch to a new network.

Smartphones / Devices supporting eSIM in India

eSIM in India was introduced in 2018 along with the iPhone XR, XS, and XS Max, after which both Jio and Airtel soon announced support for eSIM. At the same time, Vi aka Vodafone Idea also announced the support of Isim. However, BSNL has not yet announced support for eSIM in India. Jio, Vi and Airtel offer prepaid and postpaid recharge packs of eSIM just like regular physical SIMs.

At the same time, apart from iPhone XR and XS series, there are more phones in India with eSIM support, whose list is given below.

1. iPhone SE 2020
2. iPhone 11 series
3. iPhone 12 series
4. Moto RAZR flip phone
5. Apple Watch SE
6. Apple Watch Series 6
7. Apple Watch Series 5
8. Apple Watch Series 4
9. Apple Watch Series 3
10. Samsung Galaxy LTE
11. Samsung Galaxy Watch Active2
12. Samsung Galaxy Gear S3

Except for the smartwatch and the Moto RAZR flip phone, you will be able to see a regular SIM slot in other eSIM supported gadgets. The Motorola RAZR is the first fully eSIM-only phone. Outside India, you will find Samsung Galaxy Smartphone, Google Pixel 2 Series, Microsoft Surface Duo and Huawei some phones with eSIM support.

Source: Web