As everyday tasks continue to be dependent on technology and the internet, it is no surprise for e-SIMs to be helpful and essential at this age.
What is e-SIM?
In simplest terms, an e-SIM is a digital SIM that allows you to activate and use mobile connection without inserting any physical SIM card on your smartphone. It can do what your physical SIM cards do but in an eco-friendly way – reducing plastic wastes by not using a plastic SIM card.
Advantages of eSIM
If you are still using a physical SIM card, there are definitely a lot of things you could be missing out on since the eSIM technology surely has a lot of benefits. Here are the wonderful advantages of eSIM technology:
You won't damage nor lose your eSIM
Since you won’t be using a physical SIM card, there is no way you could damage nor lose your eSIM anytime. It will always be activated on your phone or gadgets.
You can have more than one phone number
Just like physical SIM cards and dual SIM slots, eSIM also allows you to store not just two but multiple phone numbers and receive calls and texts from any number.
You can connect different devices on one number
Since an eSIM is a digital SIM, you can activate it on any gadget you have that is compatible with eSIMs. With that, you can use the same phone number on multiple gadgets anytime without having to transfer SIM card from one device to another.
Perfect for traveling, easier to avail
Having an eSIM makes it possible to switch networks quickly and easily. We all know that there are still some places where certain networks don’t work well and we tend to opt for switching networks.
Since you don’t have to buy or wait for a new SIM card of a different network to arrive, it is much easier to activate any phone number on any local operator you need.
It is more secure
In terms of the possibility of stolen SIM cards and identity, you are sure to be safe with eSIM since you can easily deactivate your phone number on stolen/lost devices without having the need to ask a service provider to deactivate it for you. You can just do it yourself at the quickest time possible.
In addition, the GSMA (Global System for Mobile Communications Association) have also been working with network providers to ensure the quality of security in eSIMs. Strengthening security parameters, encryptions, as well as the transferring of operator credentials.
It is environment friendly
As mentioned above, eSIMs help reduce plastic waste as it eliminates the constant production and use of physical SIM cards. This promotes an eco-friendlier approach regarding excessive wastes.
Disadvantages of eSIM
While eSIMs has a lot of benefits and good sides, it is only normal for it to have some disadvantages.
It is time-consuming to transfer data to new phones
Your data is stored digitally, so whenever you want to use your eSIM number on a new device, you will have to download online data on that device in order to keep the information your eSIM contains, as well as to use the phone number on it.
There is still possibility for tracking and hacking
It is true that eSIMs are secure, but there is still a possibility for tracking and hacking, since all data and information are digitally available. They are secured and encrypted, but hackers can surely do something about the security.
Not all phones and networks support eSIM yet
Another disadvantage of eSIM at this current year is that there are still limited devices and network providers that support eSIM.
Emergency situations
On emergencies where your phone loses power, malfunctions, or be damaged at some point, communication will surely be unavailable. With physical SIM cards, you can just take the SIM card out and insert it on a backup device or on another phone.
Networks that support eSIM in the Philippines
Globe offers eSIM for tourists only at the moment called Globe Traveler eSIM that’s costs PHP 750 for 20GB of mobile data, unlimited local calls, and unlimited local texts valid for 15 days.
On the other hand, Smart Communications already offers both postpaid and prepaid for only PHP 99 and includes up to 21 GB of free data as well as unlimited calls and texts to all networks. You can click the highlighted links for more information on Globe and Smart eSIMs.
eSIM compatible phones in the Philippines
Not all phones are supporting eSIMs yet, but it doesn’t mean it will stay that way for a long time. Smartphone providers are now releasing devices that support eSIM and by 2024, it will not be a problem to find an eSIM compatible device anymore.
Here are the smartphones that support eSIM according to EsimCard:
Apple Products:
- iPhone XS
- iPhone XS Max
- iPhone XR
- iPhone 11
- iPhone 11 Pro
- iPhone 11 Pro Max
- iPhone SE (2020)
- iPhone 12 mini
- iPhone 12
- iPhone 12 Pro
- iPhone 12 Pro Max
- iPhone 13 mini
- iPhone 13
- iPhone 13 Pro
- iPhone 13 Pro Max
- iPhone SE (2022)
- iPhone 14
- iPhone 14 Plus
- iPhone 14 Pro
- iPhone 14 Pro Max
- iPhone 15
- iPhone 15 Plus
- iPhone 15 Pro
- iPhone 15 Pro Max
- iPad Pro 11inch (1-4 gen)
- iPad Pro 12.9inch (3-6 gen)
- iPad Air (3-5 gen)
- iPad (7-10 gen)
- iPad Mini (5-6 gen)
Samsung:
- Samsung Galaxy S23
- Samsung Galaxy S23+
- Samsung Galaxy S23
- Samsung Galaxy S22
- Samsung Galaxy S22+
- Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra
- Samsung Galaxy S21
- Samsung Galaxy S21+
- Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
- Samsung Galaxy S20
- Samsung Galaxy S20+
- Samsung Galaxy S2 Ultra
- Samsung Galaxy S23
- Samsung Galaxy Note 20
- Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra
- Samsung Galaxy Fold
- Samsung Galaxy Fold 2
- Samsung Galaxy Fold 3
- Samsung Galaxy Fold 4
- Samsung Galaxy Flip 1
- Samsung Galaxy Flip 3
- Samsung Galaxy Flip 4
- Samsung Galaxy S20 Hybrid Dual SIM
Google Pixel:
- Google Pixel 2
- Google Pixel 2 XL
- Google Pixel 3
- Google Pixel 3 XL
- Google Pixel 3a
- Google Pixel 3a XL
- Google Pixel 4
- Google Pixel 4 XL
- Google Pixel 4a 5G
- Google Pixel 5
- Google Pixel 5a
- Google Pixel 6
- Google Pixel 6 Pro
- Google Pixel 6a
- Google Pixel 7
- Google Pixel 7 Pro
- Google Pixel 8
- Google Pixel 8 Pro
Huawei:
- Huawei P40
- Huawei P40 Pro
- Huawei P50 Pro
- Huawei Mate 40 Pro
- Huawei Mate Xs 2
- Huawei Mate X2
OPPO:
- Oppo Find X3 Pro
- Oppo Reno 5A
- Oppo Find X5
- Oppo Find X5 Pro
- Oppo Find X3 Pro
- Oppo Find X5
- Oppo Find X5 Pro
- Oppo A55s 5G
- Oppo Reno6 Pro 5G
- Oppo Find N2 Flip
SONY:
- Sony Xperia 10 III Lite
- Sony Xperia 1 IV
- Sony Xperia 10 IV
- Sony Xperia 5 IV
- Sony Xperia 1 V
- Sony Xperia 10 V
- Sony Xperia Ace III
Xiaomi:
- Xiaomi 12T Pro
- Xiaomi 13
- Xiaomi 13 Lite
- Xiaomi 13 Pro
- Xiaomi 13T Pro
- Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G (Japan only)
Other:
- Motorola Razr 2019
- Motorola Razr 5G
- Gemini PDA
- Rakuten Mini
- Rakuten BigS
- Rakuten Big
- Rakuten Hand
- Rakuten Hand 5G
- Surface Pro X
- Honor Magic 4 Pro
- Fairphone 4
- Sharp Aquos Sense 6s
- Sharp Aquos Wish
- DOOGEE V30
- Nuu Mobile X5
Number of eSIMs per device
Smartphone models differ in the amount of eSIMs they support, as determined by the manufacturer. At least one eSIM is usually supported by the majority of modern smartphones, especially flagship models from well-known companies like Apple, Samsung, and Google. Still, a few models—particularly the most recent ones—might accommodate additional eSIMs. It allows customers to use different phone numbers or cellular plans on the same device.
The specs of the device generally specify the exact amount of eSIMs that it supports. However, we have included a list of the number of eSIMs that each device supports for your convenience.
Manufacturer | Phone Model | No. of eSIMs |
Apple | iPhone XR | 20 |
Apple | iPhone XS | 20 |
Apple | iPhone XS Max | 20 |
Apple | iPhone 11 | 20 |
Apple | iPhone 11 Pro | 20 |
Apple | iPhone 11 Pro Max | 20 |
Apple | iPhone SE (2020) | 20 |
Apple | iPhone 12 Mini | 20 |
Apple | iPhone 12 | 20 |
Apple | iPhone 12 Pro | 20 |
Apple | iPhone 12 Pro Max | 20 |
Apple | iPhone 13 mini | 20 |
Apple | iPhone 13 | 20 |
Apple | iPhone 13 Pro | 20 |
Apple | iPhone 13 Pro Max | 20 |
Apple | iPhone SE (2022) | 20 |
Apple | iPhone 14 | 20 |
Apple | iPhone 14 Plus | 20 |
Apple | iPhone 14 Pro | 20 |
Apple | iPhone 14 Pro Max | 20 |
Apple | iPhone 15 | 20 |
Apple | iPhone 15 Plus | 20 |
Apple | iPhone 15 Pro | 20 |
Apple | iPhone 15 Pro Max | 20 |
Apple | iPad Pro (2018 and onwards) | 20 |
Apple | iPad Air | 20 |
Apple | iPad | 20 |
Pixel 3 | 1 | |
Pixel 3a | 1 | |
Pixel 4 | 1 | |
Pixel 4a | 1 | |
Pixel 5 | 1 | |
Pixel 6 | 1 | |
Pixel 6a | 1 | |
Pixel 6 Pro | 1 | |
Pixel 7 | 1 | |
Pixel 7 Pro | 1 | |
Pixel 8 | 1 | |
Pixel 8 Pro | 1 | |
Pixel Fold | 1 | |
Huawei | P40 | 1 |
Huawei | P40 Pro (not including the P40 Pro +) | 1 |
Huawei | Mate 40 Pro | 1 |
Motorola | Razr 2019 | 1 |
Motorola | Razr 5G | 1 |
Motorola | Razr 40 | 1 |
Motorola | Razr 40 Ultra | 1 |
Motorola | Razr+ | 1 |
Motorola | Edge+ | 1 |
Motorola | Edge 40 | 1 |
Motorola | Edge 40 Pro | 1 |
Motorola | G52J 5G | 1 |
Motorola | G52J 5G Ⅱ | 1 |
Motorola | G53J 5G | 1 |
Samsung | Galaxy Z Flip | 1 |
Samsung | Galaxy Z Flip 5G | 1 |
Samsung | Galaxy Z Flip3 5G | 1 |
Samsung | Galaxy Z Flip4 | 1 |
Samsung | Galaxy Z Flip5 5G | +5 |
Samsung | Galaxy Fold | 1 |
Samsung | Galaxy Z Fold2 5G | 1 |
Samsung | Galaxy Z Fold3 5G | 1 |
Samsung | Galaxy Z Fold4 | 1 |
Samsung | Galaxy Z Fold5 5G | +5 |
Samsung | Galaxy S20 | 5 |
Samsung | Galaxy S20+ 5g | 5 |
Samsung | Galaxy S20 Ultra | 5 |
Samsung | Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G | 5 |
Samsung | Galaxy S21 | 5 |
Samsung | Galaxy S21+ 5G | 5 |
Samsung | Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | 5 |
Samsung | Galaxy S22 | +5 |
Samsung | Galaxy S22+ | +5 |
Samsung | Galaxy S22 Ultra | +5 |
Samsung | Galaxy Note 20 Ultra 5G | 5 |
Samsung | Galaxy Note 20 | 5 |
Samsung | Galaxy S23 | +5 |
Samsung | Galaxy S23+ | +5 |
Samsung | Galaxy S23 Ultra | +5 |
Rakuten Mobile | Rakuten Mini | 1 |
Rakuten Mobile | Big-S | 1 |
Rakuten Mobile | Big | 1 |
Rakuten Mobile | Hand | 1 |
Rakuten Mobile | Hand 5G | 1 |
Oppo | Find N2 Flip | 1 |
Oppo | Find X3 Pro | 1 |
Oppo | Reno 5 A | 1 |
Oppo | Find X5 | 1 |
Oppo | Find X5 Pro | 1 |
Oppo | A55s 5G | 1 |
Oppo | Reno 6 Pro 5G | 1 |
Sony | Xperia 10 III Lite | 1 |
Sony | Xperia 10 IV | 1 |
Sony | Xperia 10V | 1 |
Sony | Xperia 1 IV | 1 |
Sony | Xperia 5 IV | 1 |
Sony | Xperia 1 V | 1 |
Sony | Sony Xperia Ace III | 1 |
Honor | Magic 4 Pro | 1 |
Honor | Magic 5 Pro | 1 |
Honor | 90 | 1 |
Xiaomi | 12T Pro | 1 |
Xiaomi | 13 | 1 |
Xiaomi | 13 Lite | 1 |
Xiaomi | 13 Pro | 1 |
Xiaomi | 13T Pro | 1 |
Sharp | Aquos Sense6s | 1 |
Sharp | Aquos sense 7 | 1 |
Sharp | Aquos sense 7plus | 1 |
Sharp | Aquos Wish | 1 |
Sharp | Aquos wish 2 SHG08 | 1 |
Sharp | Aquos wish3 | 1 |
Sharp | Aquos Sense4 lite | 1 |
Sharp | Aquos zero 6 | 1 |
Sharp | Simple Sumaho6 | 1 |
Sharp | Aquos R7 | 1 |
Sharp | Aquos R8 | 1 |
Sharp | Aquos R8 Pro | 1 |
DOOGEE | V30 | 1 |
OnePlus | 11 | 1 |
HAMMER | Blade 3 | 1 |
HAMMER | Explorer PRO | 1 |
HAMMER | Blade 5G | 1 |
Nokia | XR21 | 1 |
Nokia | X30 | 1 |
Nokia | G60 5G | 1 |
The future of eSIM
Surely, the technology of communication has been evolving rapidly. Long ago, people needed to write a physical letter and wait a long time for a response. Then the invention of pagers and telephones came, followed by the evolution of cell phones for years.
Today, communication has never been easier. With just one tap, one click, you can not only talk with your love ones, but see them as well at the present time. Who knows what’s next?
With the rising of eSIMs, communication will surely continue to be convenient and smarter. We can only choose what’s best for us and adapt with the continuous change in technology.
What do you think of eSIM? Will it be able to take down physical SIM cards?
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