What you need to know
- Apple has released the iPhone 14 in an eSIM-only model for the US.
- We asked our readers if more OEMs should invest in eSIM-only smartphones.
- Out of over 2,000 votes, 46% said we should stick to physical SIM cards.
eSIM support is on the rise among Android devices, especially since Apple has started investing in eSIM-only models in its latest iPhone 14 series.As highlighted by Andrew Myrick of Android Central and his recent experience with Meanwhile, OEMs and operators tout the benefits of eSIM technology, but the world doesn’t seem ready to move to eSIM-only devices.
I recently asked a reader if there should be more OEMs making eSIM-only smartphones. It received 2,051 votes, 46% of which said we should stick to physical SIM cards. However, 32% agree that his eSIM is the future and that OEMs should make eSIM-only smartphones. Finally, 21% are somewhere in between, saying it’s too early for these types of smartphones.
Ease of mobility is one of the favorite touted benefits of eSIMs by U.S. carriers and OEMs, but one reader, David Chow, said it’s actually made more difficult. I’m here.
“This is because not all carriers, especially MVNOs, offer eSIMs as part of their offer. It will be a much more painful process!”
Forrest Armstrong also points out ease of use when using a physical SIM, and isn’t opposed to the phone supporting both for the time being.
“Supporting up to two SIMs, even a combination of physical SIM and eSIM, is fine, but being able to swap physical SIMs is useful, especially when traveling.”
Another reader, Mike Ferrante, like Andrew Myrick on Android Central, experienced a similar issue when trying to move from a physical SIM to an eSIM.
“No, I have an iPhone 14 Plus and wanted to try the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra, but switching was an absolute nightmare. Worse when I wanted to switch back to the iPhone. .”
In response to Ferrante, one reader pointed out that the experience on T-Mobile is fairly straightforward, but not so easy on Xfinity Mobile (MVNO). In the US where the iPhone 14 series is eSIM only
Android Central’s Jerry Hildenbrand thinks Apple let the guns fly when it went eSIM-only on devices like the iPhone 14 Pro Max. This is something Motorola attempted with his Razr reboot, but quickly abandoned with its 5G follow-up. However, he points out that the main purpose of eSIMs is security, not ease of use.
“Using an eSIM makes it more difficult for someone to control your phone number because it involves more carrier involvement. am.”
So while the eSIM experience may be finicky for now, the security benefits and growing support among the best Android phones will make it easier for carriers and OEMs to streamline things a bit more. Until then, you’ll need to keep your physical SIM card handy for the time being.
