Why eSIM Is Better: 6 Reasons to Switch Now

Are you tired of fumbling with tiny SIM cards and searching for that paperclip-sized tool to open the SIM tray? Newer phones, like the eSIM-only iPhone 15 series in the U.S., have the technology built right in. An eSIM, or embedded SIM, is a digital SIM that lets you activate a cellular plan from your carrier without needing a physical nano-SIM.

This guide explains exactly why eSIM is better. You will learn how it makes setup faster, your phone more secure, and traveling cheaper. Let’s get your phone life simplified.

The Simple Convenience of eSIM

Setting up an eSIM on your iPhone 15 Pro or Google Pixel 8 often takes just a couple of minutes. You won’t need any special tools or have to deal with flimsy trays.

If you want to switch your mobile number to a new carrier on your Samsung Galaxy S24, it’s as easy as changing a playlist.

How can you activate and set up an eSIM remotely?

Getting your eSIM working on a mobile phone happens incredibly fast. Apple iPhones have supported this feature since the iPhone XR, and all U.S. models of the iPhone 14 and 15 are now eSIM-only.

• Quick Transfer: This feature moves your mobile number from an old iPhone to a new one, like the iPhone 15 Pro, during the initial setup. You don’t even need to call your carrier.
• QR Code Scan: Phones like the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra or Google Pixel 8 activate by scanning a QR code. Carriers like AT&T and Verizon can send these codes directly to your email.
• Carrier App Activation: Many carriers offer direct eSIM activation through their apps. T-Mobile’s “Easy Switch” app even lets you test its network on your unlocked phone before you fully commit.
• Manual Entry: If you’re a tech fan, you can enter the activation details manually. Your carrier provides the necessary information to type into your phone’s cellular settings.
• Travel Apps: Companies like Airalo and Saily sell data plans for tablets, laptops, and phones. You can buy a plan online and activate it instantly on devices like the S24 Ultra or Pixel 8.
• Activation Links: Some networks, including travel providers like the Canada eSIM from Holafly, send activation links by email. Just click the link, and your phone connects automatically.
• Built-in Compatibility: Modern Samsung Galaxy phones have eSIM compatibility built in. This makes the physical SIM tray a thing of the past for many users.

How do you switch between carriers easily with an eSIM?

Once you activate an eSIM, switching carriers feels almost effortless. On my Galaxy S24, I just open Settings and navigate to the Mobile Network menu. All my stored carrier profiles appear there, ready for activation with a single tap.

Last summer in Spain, I needed a local data plan immediately. Instead of hunting for a SIM kiosk, I downloaded a local carrier’s profile right on my phone. The entire process took less than five minutes.

You can compare plans from home or while on the go without being locked into a contract. This flexibility helps you avoid roaming fees and gives you instant service anywhere in the world.

Space-Saving and Improved Design

Getting rid of the physical SIM slot gives phone makers more design flexibility. An eSIM is over 90% smaller than a traditional nano-SIM card.

That tiny bit of saved space allows for bigger batteries, better water resistance, or more advanced hardware. Wearables like smartwatches especially benefit from this space-saving technology.

How does eSIM free up internal device space?

Physical SIM card trays take up valuable real estate inside a device. An eSIM is a tiny chip soldered directly onto the motherboard, so no bulky tray or slot is needed.

This extra room can be used for larger batteries, improved camera sensors, or better speakers. My smartwatch packs a surprising amount of power because its eSIM allows designers to use every millimeter of space effectively.

An eSIM can also store multiple mobile plans digitally. Some of the latest dual-SIM phones can hold eight or more virtual profiles at once. Devices can become more compact and powerful, which is perfect for anyone who loves sleek design.

How does eSIM enable more compact or advanced device designs?

Removing the SIM tray opens up new design possibilities. With fewer external openings, engineers can create devices that are more durable and have better water resistance.

This allowed companies to build smaller wearables like the Apple Watch and Samsung Galaxy Watch. The Motorola Razr switched to eSIM-only years ago to achieve its ultra-thin foldable design. Another great example is the Fairphone 4, which uses eSIM to help create a more modular and repairable device.

Why eSIM is Better for Security

An eSIM locks your cellular information directly to the device’s hardware. A thief can’t just pop out your SIM card to try and take over your phone number.

This adds an essential layer of protection against common scams like SIM swapping. Features like remote data wiping and profile locks give you solid security without any extra hassle.

How does eSIM protect against loss or theft?

In the past, losing your phone meant a thief could take your SIM card and use it in another device. Not anymore.

With eSIM technology, your subscriber information is embedded in the hardware. There is no physical card to steal, which is a major deterrent for criminals. If your Google Pixel 8 Pro is stolen, you can contact your carrier to deactivate the eSIM profile remotely, making the phone’s cellular service useless to the thief.

This technology is a huge win for digital safety. For more details, you can read about eSIM anti-theft benefits and see real stories from other users.

“Nothing makes a would-be phone thief groan louder than realizing there’s no removable SIM to steal.”

How does eSIM reduce the risk of physical tampering?

Physical SIM cards are an easy target for “SIM swapping” attacks, a crime the FBI has issued warnings about. Attackers can steal your card, clone it, or trick your carrier into swapping your number to a card they control.

eSIMs eliminate this risk because there is nothing physical to swap. All activations and updates happen digitally through secure, encrypted channels that follow the GSMA’s Remote SIM Provisioning (RSP) standards.

Because there is no slot to exploit and nothing to remove, hackers lose one of their favorite tricks. This makes unauthorized swaps nearly impossible for anyone trying to gain physical access to your SIM.

Improved Travel Experience

Imagine you just landed in Tokyo and need data immediately. With an eSIM, you can connect to a local network in less than five minutes, right from your seat.

How can you quickly access local data plans abroad with eSIM?

Getting a local data plan while traveling is incredibly simple with an eSIM. I’ve used it everywhere from Thailand to Spain without ever touching a physical SIM card.

• Apps like Airalo and Saily let you buy and activate eSIM plans directly from your phone in minutes.
• You can set up your plan before your plane even lands. This gives you an instant connection at the airport.
• eSIM stores provide instant QR codes or in-app activations. No more hunting for kiosks or waiting in long lines after a flight.
• Many services offer promo codes. For instance, Airalo often has codes like NEWTOAIRALO15 for 15% off for new users.
• While local SIMs can be cheap, eSIMs offer unmatched convenience. A regional plan on Airalo for Europe might cost around $20 for 5GB, getting you online instantly.
• Your phone’s settings let you manage all these profiles easily. You can swap between networks or top up your data without needing a paperclip.

How does eSIM help avoid high international roaming fees?

By getting a local plan in seconds, you can easily skip the pain of outrageous international roaming fees. Major U.S. carriers like Verizon charge $10 per day for their TravelPass, which adds up quickly.

In contrast, a local or regional eSIM plan often costs a fraction of that. My last trip to Bangkok was a perfect example. I used Airalo to get a week of fast 4G data for less than what my home carrier charges for a single day.

Providers like Saily and Nomad also offer flexible plans. You can pay only for the data you need, whether you’re traveling to one country or an entire region. Best of all, you can set it all up from your couch before you even leave for the airport.

With an eSIM from Airalo, I paid ten bucks and laughed while my friends burned through their travel budget on roaming fees.

There is no reason to accept surprise bills from hidden international rates anymore. An eSIM puts local prices right in your pocket, wherever you land.

Multi-Network Capability

With an eSIM, you can store multiple carrier profiles on a single device. Switching between them is as quick as flipping a switch in your settings.

This is perfect for travelers who need local plans or anyone who wants to keep their work and personal lines separate on one phone.

How does eSIM store multiple network profiles?

An eSIM acts like a tiny digital locker inside your smartphone or smartwatch. Modern iPhones can store eight or more eSIM profiles at once.

Each profile contains the necessary digital information for a different carrier. The device uses rewritable memory, which lets you add, remove, or switch between these mobile plans whenever you want.

Each profile waits quietly in your settings menu until you select it. While you can typically only use one or two at a time, switching between them takes just seconds. This feature, often called Dual SIM Dual Standby (DSDS), makes managing multiple numbers a breeze.

How do you switch seamlessly between numbers or carriers using eSIM?

Switching between different numbers or carriers is incredibly fast with eSIM technology. Forget about physical SIMs and paperclips forever.

• Activate new plans directly from your phone’s settings in under 5 minutes. No need to visit a store.
• Toggle between personal and business numbers easily on the same device.
• Apple and Android both have built-in eSIM management, making it simple for anyone to customize their device.
• Switch networks anytime, anywhere, without waiting for a physical SIM card to arrive in the mail.
• You can install plans from major carriers like AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon, or international providers, just by scanning a QR code.
• Dual connectivity lets you keep two numbers active at the same time. This is perfect for managing calls and data from different plans.

Environmental Benefits

Using disposable plastic SIM cards feels outdated in today’s world. Moving to eSIM technology significantly cuts down on plastic waste.

This simple switch helps keep more plastic and electronic components out of our landfills.

How does eSIM reduce plastic waste from physical SIM cards?

An eSIM replaces the old plastic card with a tiny, rewritable chip that’s already inside your phone. This means no more plastic cards, no more plastic trays, and no more wasteful packaging.

According to the GSMA, eSIMs can help prevent the production of billions of plastic SIM cards produced annually. This shift also cuts down on the carbon emissions associated with manufacturing and shipping those cards around the world.

As more eSIM-only phones are released by companies like Apple and Samsung, we can avoid a massive amount of single-use plastic and e-waste.

How Will the eSIM Landscape Change in 2025?

The move toward eSIM technology is only getting faster. As we head into 2025, you can expect even more devices to launch as eSIM-only, completely ditching the physical SIM tray.

A forecast from Counterpoint Research predicts that nearly 70% of all smartphones shipped globally will have eSIM support by 2025. Major carriers like Lyca Mobile are continuing to expand their eSIM offerings, making fast QR code activation the new standard.

The next evolution is also on the horizon. Look out for iSIM, or Integrated SIM, which builds the SIM functionality directly into the phone’s main processor, saving even more space and energy.

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