Tech InDepth: Understanding eSIMs, their advantages and disadvantages

Source: The post is based on the article “Tech InDepth: Understanding eSIMs, their advantages and disadvantages” published in Indian Express on 21st September 2022

What is the News?

Apple Inc, an American multinational technology company has come up without a physical SIM slot or an eSIM in order to access mobile networks.

What is eSIM?

eSIMs were first established a decade ago in 2012.

It is an embedded SIM. It essentially has the same hardware of a regular SIM card chip but now it is permanently embedded in the motherboard of a watch or smartphone.

Just like a traditional SIM card, an eSIM also consists of some components, which are part of a phone’s internal organs. They also function the same way, acting as a unique identifier for telecom operators and other consumers to reach your exact smartphone when they make a call or send a text.

However, being attached to the motherboard also allows re-programming, letting users switch operators without having to replace any physical SIM cards.

What are the advantages of eSIM?

Provides Security: An eSIM provides security to sim theft, as there is no physical element to pull out and use in another device.Attackers cannot use your phone after being robbed to breach your social media or bank accounts.

Saves space in the phone: One less opening on the frame of your phone reduces the likelihood of elements like dust and water entering the phone.It also saves some space on the inside of the phone to be used elsewhere.

What are the disadvantages of eSIM?

Emergencies: If a phone stops working, runs out of battery or simply falls and gets a cracked screen, then the communication with the person is brought to a complete standstill with eSIMs. Traditional SIMs, meanwhile, can be quickly pulled out of the affected phone and into another backup device or secondary phone.

Unusable in countries with no eSIM support: eSIM phones cannot be used in a country where the telecom operators simply don’t support the technology yet.

Telcos have more control: An eSIM may save one’s initial trip to the telecom operator’s store to get a SIM card, but one has to rely on the operator while switching one’s phone.