eSIM | Personal | du™ (2024)

FAQs

Why is eSIM so difficult? ›

With eSIMs, it's harder to switch one plan between devices—you can't just swap the physical card—and they can make it harder for you to temporarily remove your SIM if you don't want to be tracked by a carrier.

Device manufacturers are also hesitant to adopt eSIM technology due to concerns about its potential impact on their business models. Integrating eSIM technology into devices requires significant research, development, and testing investment, with no guarantee of widespread adoption or acceptance from consumers.

The benefits of eSim over physical sim are pretty solid. In terms of reliability, both traditional and eSIMs work the same if they're from the same network provider, but the network can be interrupted in the case of a physical SIM. So, the network an eSIM provides is a little more reliable.

This usually happens when you purchase from a carrier and you provide your cellular-plan details. If an eSIM was assigned to your iPhone when you bought it, turn on your iPhone and follow the instructions to activate your eSIM.

Limited compatibility is one of the biggest disadvantages of eSIM. If you are an international student, and travelling with a plan to go for eSIM, then you should think twice. While newer smartphones and gadgets offer support for eSIM technology, older models generally don't provide eSIM features.

Does eSIM slow down your phone? An eSIM has nothing to do with the internet speeds or better cellular reception. It is just like a digital copy of your SIM card.

This is because China, a crucial market and the home country of these brands, has strict regulations on e-SIMs due to security concerns. It is not clear if there is an explicit ban, but even Apple, which is the first company to support e-SIMs, does not sell iPhones with e-SIMs in China mainland.

An eSIM is internal to your device and built into its hardware. On its own, it doesn't do anything to drain your battery life. In fact, it's more energy-efficient than a traditional SIM!

However, you should remember that no connected device is 100% immune to hacking. And since eSIMs are used on connected devices, like any other technology, they are vulnerable to malware, social engineering, and phishing attacks.

eSIM is more secure than a physical SIM because it can't be removed if your iPhone is lost or stolen. With eSIM, you don't need to obtain, carry, and swap physical SIM cards (which can also be lost), or wait for them to arrive by mail. You can have two eSIMs active on supported iPhone models at the same time.

Can eSIMs be hacked? ›

As with any connected device, eSIM-enabled devices are susceptible to malware and phishing attacks. Users should be vigilant and avoid clicking on suspicious links or downloading apps from untrusted sources. Keeping device software up-to-date and using reputable security software can help mitigate these risks.

1. Saily – best eSIM for the USA. With an array of affordable data plans and coverage across the US, Saily is a perfect choice for travelers who want to avoid high roaming charges and the trouble of acquiring a local SIM card. This eSIM provider has 5 different plans for the US, and they're valid for 7 to 30 days.

Changing devices might not be straightforward

If you are using an eSIM and you need to change phones, chances are that you will need to contact your local provider to enquire how to transfer your eSIM. While Android and iOS have eSIM transfer tools, not all carriers allow an eSIM transfer.

An eSIM makes it much easier to switch mobile networks. Instead of needing to order a new SIM, waiting for it to arrive, then inserting it into your phone, you can switch to a different network with a phone call or online. You also won't need to go hunting for a SIM 'ejector tool' to remove the old SIM from your phone.

eSIM technology gives you access to the same signal strength level as a traditional SIM but is also impacted by external factors that impact signal strength. Ultimately, there's no measurable difference between the signal strength you receive from a traditional SIM card and an eSIM.

They're reasonably easy to install

eSIMs can only be installed once, so if you don't get it right, you lose whatever money you paid. The process only takes a few minutes but does require a certain degree of concentration; the precise steps required will vary across different models of smartphone.

In your quest to find out which is better between eSIM and pSIM (which is the same as physical SIM) you might be wondering if one has better signal strength than the other. The good news is that neither type of SIM is better or worse signal-wise.

Your eSIM may not be working because your phone or tablet may not recognize your eSIM. This happens if your eSIM is: Not associated with account - Your eSIM profile must be present on your line in our billing system and must match the number in the device itself.