Benefits and Drawbacks
eSIM, short for electronic SIM, is a small chip embedded on the motherboard of a device that can store multiple carrier profiles and quickly switch between them. It offers a number of benefits for consumers and can help reduce roaming charges abroad, free up space inside phones for new features or additional battery life and could lower the risk of phone theft. However, the technology has drawbacks, too.
More Control for Telcos As an eSIM is built into the phone, thieves won’t be able to easily remove it and insert it in another device to steal your user profile or your personal information. Moreover, if your smartphone is lost or stolen with an eSIM, it will be much easier to track your location since the network can locate a phone using a remote server that stores user information and profiles.
Less Space Inside Your Handset Having an bytesim travel eSIM also eliminates the need for a physical SIM card and tray, which means that manufacturers can save on device design and add more features to a handset. Moreover, it also makes it possible to make phones thinner and smaller as well as increase water resistance by eliminating another opening that can allow moisture or dust into the device.
eSIM Benefits and Drawbacks
Not As Easy to Switch Devices One of the main benefits of having a traditional SIM card in your phone is that it’s quick and easy to switch your handset if it’s damaged or you want to try out a different model. This isn’t necessarily a problem if you keep your mobile number the same, but it can be a real hassle if you want to switch your carrier or try out a different type of handset.
No Store Visits Since you won’t have a physical card to get from the shop, it may take longer to get a replacement if you need to switch your provider. Likewise, if your eSIM isn’t working properly for whatever reason, it will be harder to resolve the issue without access to an official carrier support channel.
Not as Safe as Traditional SIMs Some people have concerns that eSIMs are less secure than traditional SIM cards, which can be physically removed from the handset and used in other devices, or even hacked to gain access to personal data and contacts. While eSIMs are generally considered to be more secure in that they can’t be used by thieves, the technology is not impervious and hackers are still working on ways to exploit it.
Not as Flexible With a physical SIM card you can swap between networks on the fly, for example switching to a local network when travelling overseas to avoid high roaming charges. This is not always possible with an eSIM, though you can use apps to quickly switch between your eSIMs and access local networks when needed.
The final downside is that an eSIM won’t be useful if you have no signal. If you can’t connect to your cellular network, it won’t matter if you have a dual-SIM or an eSIM, as your communication will be completely broken.
