eSIM vs physical SIM: Making the right choice for your device

In late January, I went on an international trip and before departure, I switched from a physical SIM to an eSIM on my iPhone 14 Plus. After reaching my destination, I bought a local SIM and was able to use both the connections on my iPhone. While Apple has advertised dual-SIM connectivity on newer iPhone models, I experienced the convenience for the first time.

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While a physical SIM card, short for Subscriber Identity Module, is the most common type for connecting to a carrier’s network, eSIM is not only becoming popular but also being supported by many smartphone manufacturers.

However, there is this confusion around whether one is better than the other and does switching to an eSIM offer any additional benefits. Let’s take a look at the difference between eSIM and physical SIM.

eSIM vs physical SIM: Know the difference

A SIM card is essentially an interface to your network provider. It has a small chip that stores the identity of the subscriber and assigns a phone number to identify each unique user. Without a SIM card, you cannot connect to the carrier network for calling, texting, or mobile internet.

While SIM cards were initially available as full-sized cards (or Mini SIM), they have evolved to become available in mini, micro, and smaller nano sizes. Most modern-day smartphones now use a nano-SIM card. Since they are physically placed inside a mobile device, they are called physical SIM cards.

For smartphone makers, the use of a physical SIM card means they have to include a removable SIM card slot. Since most smartphone OEMs are moving towards the idea of ditching any removable component, they have found a digital alternative to the SIM card.

In simple terms, an eSIM is a digital version of the physical SIM card that we are all familiar with. It sets itself apart by being embedded into the device and you cannot remove it. Unlike a physical SIM, you can switch carriers by activating the phone through the carrier of your choice, which only requires downloading the network information.

Is eSIM better than physical SIM?

The answer to that question mainly depends on how you use your phone and how often you switch devices. If you are a tech reviewer who has to switch phones regularly and test new devices, then an eSIM might not be an ideal option. 

However, if you are someone who changes phones only once every two or three years and are looking for a more secure way to connect to your network provider then an eSIM will be ideal.

Pros and cons of an eSIM

Pros of eSIM:

1. Security: The biggest benefit of eSIM is the added security it brings to your device. It is harder to clone a phone’s eSIM compared to a physical SIM. If your phone is stolen, a thief would usually remove the SIM card first so it can’t be tracked. But with embedded SIM, it is impossible to remove the SIM and allows you additional time to track your device.

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2. Smaller size: eSIM is small and does not take up space that was previously reserved for physical SIM in your phone. This extra space can be optimised for other components or a larger battery. Since they cannot be removed, it allows phone makers to offer even better protection against water damage.

3. Easier to switch networks: eSIM also makes the process of switching networks easier with network information available from the app of your carrier. It only takes a few minutes and eliminates the need to visit a physical store. With eSIM, you can also store multiple cellular profiles. For example, you can install eight or more eSIMs on the iPhone 15 lineup and use two numbers at the same time. This comes in handy when travelling.

4. Better for the environment: Since there are no plastic cards involved, an eSIM creates less environmental waste than a physical SIM.

Cons of eSIM:

1. Limited to premium devices: eSIMs are still limited to premium devices like the Apple iPhone 15 series, Google Pixel 8 series, and Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra. While more manufacturers are starting to adopt eSIM, it will take some time before it becomes common even in affordable smartphones.

2. Switching phones is a challenge: Switching phones is not easy with an eSIM since you need to install an app or download carrier information for your eSIM. The process is fast, but it is not as quick as popping out the SIM card from your old phone and putting it inside your new device.

There are advantages associated with a physical SIM card that we cannot simply overlook. The biggest advantage is the ease with which physical SIM cards allow users to switch devices. A physical SIM also offers the best compatibility across phones and networks. However, they can easily get lost or damaged and SIM swapping is a serious concern. With a physical SIM, you will also need to go to a physical store to switch networks.

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One thing is clear, embedded SIM technology is the future and eSIM is only going to get better. If you have a phone with a physical SIM card, then there is no major benefit in switching to an eSIM just yet. However, if you are switching to a new phone then it would be sensible to switch to eSIM.