We have been using physical SIM cards for years. Although they have undergone size adjustments over the years, there haven’t been significant changes in terms of technology. However, that’s about to change with the introduction of virtual SIM cards, otherwise known as electronic SIM cards or eSIMs. An eSIM is a virtual SIM card that is directly fitted into a phone’s hardware. It is permanent, so you can’t take it out as you would if it were a traditional SIM card but you can program it. The new technology is promising but has its fair share of downsides. Here is a thorough review.
The Pros
Flexible
A huge advantage of eSIM technology is the convenience and flexibility it provides. Unlike a physical SIM card, you don’t need to take out your SIM tray to swap SIM cards. This stands to benefit people who don’t want to lose their SIM cards and regularly access services from the same network couriers. With an eSIM, all you have to do is configure your preferred network’s profile.
Takes Little Space
eSIMs don’t require physical SIM card slots, as a result, phone manufacturers can design phones that are thinner and more compact. Phone manufacturers can also opt to use the extra freed-up space to make bigger batteries for their phones or incorporate more features that would have been harder to implement because of space reserved for SIM trays.
Remote SIM Activation
Unlike traditional SIM cards, you don’t need to visit a store to buy one since they come pre-installed on your mobile phone. Your network provider can remotely program the eSIM or guide you on how to do additional settings. This saves time and improves customer satisfaction.
Dual SIM Support
Some phones come with one physical SIM slot and an e-SIM slot. This feature allows users with more than one SIM card to keep their primary courier as the e-SIM and their secondary network service provider in the physical SIM tray. The dual functionality allows users to access services from more than one network provider simultaneously.
The Cons
Limited Compatibility
Electronic SIM technology is relatively new and not yet supported by all mobile phone carriers. Additionally, not all devices support eSIMs thus limiting the number of users who can access the technology.
Security Vulnerabilities
Similar to traditional SIM cards, eSIM are not immune to security breaches. Cyber attacks targeting eSIM are likely to rise soon as the technology gets widely adopted. As a result, network carriers may incorporate many restrictions to mitigate cyber fraud and attacks, which may frustrate users.
Dependency on Device Manufacturer
Unlike traditional SIM cards which have been standardized to work in all mobile phones, eSIM technology is not as widely available. Few phone manufacturers incorporate the technology and limit them to their flagship models, which tend to be expensive. This can limit the number of people who can access and enjoy the benefits of eSIM technology.
Conclusion
eSIM technology has a lot of benefits but is far from perfect. It’s a relatively new technology and is still not widely adopted. Although the tech is new, it still has a long way to go, especially in including all mobile network providers and making it available across all devices.
