If you’re interested in the new smartphones on the market, such as the iPhone 14 or the Google Pixel 7, you’ve probably noticed that there’s a new feature that you may not be aware of: eSIM technology. Although this eSIM technology has been around for quite some time, the reality is that it’s still not widely known by everyone, mainly because it’s usually only included in the most recent devices of each brand.
In short, an eSIM is an updated version of the famous SIM card that we use to connect to the internet from our smartphone every day. However, this new version, so to speak, has many details that we recommend you know if you are interested in purchasing one.
In this article, in addition to delving into the concept of eSIM, we will also show you how you can obtain one, where you can do it, what requirements you will have to meet to do so and most importantly, what are the advantages, disadvantages and differences with respect to the SIM card. Without further ado, let’s start this eSIM vs SIM duel!
What is an eSIM?
Before starting the comparisons between the eSIM and the SIM card, it is important that you have a clear and concise concept of what an eSIM is. As we mentioned before, we can say that the eSIM is the new digitized version of the traditional SIM Card, but what does this mean? What this means is that with the new eSIM you will be able to connect to the internet just like you do with your eSIM, but instead of inserting a plastic card into your smartphone you will have to scan a QR code with your smartphone’s camera. For more details, we have a post dedicated to the eSIM.
eSIM vs SIM requirements
One of the main aspects that we must take into account before purchasing any of these products are the requirements that they ask of us to be able to use or buy them. As you can see, one of these two options has more requirements than the other, this is mainly due to the fact that the eSIM is a more recent product; However, will it be worth it?
eSIM requirements
As this is a fairly recent product, there are some requirements that you will have to meet in order to use this product. Therefore, we recommend that before you purchase an eSIM with your mobile operator or with an international eSIM provider, you take a look at this series of requirements, so that you do not waste your money or your time:
- The first and most important requirement is to have a smartphone that has integrated eSIM technology.
- If you purchase an eSIM from an international provider, make sure that the eSIM they offer is compatible with your phone. Most of these international providers sell eSIMs compatible with iPhone XS and above.
- If you are going to get an eSIM with your local operator such as Vodafone, Orange or Movistar, you will have to first purchase a postpaid or prepaid data plan that includes said eSIM.
- To make your purchase with international suppliers you will have to fill out a purchase form which includes an email from which the eSIM, your cell phone number, among other information, will be sent to you.
- In some cases, providers will ask you to install their mobile application to manage or purchase the eSIM.
SIM card requirements
On the other hand, the requirements to acquire and use a SIM card are practically non-existent, since all smartphones are capable of using this product. However, it should be noted that there are several types of SIM Card: Nano SIM, MicroSIM and SIM. Depending on the launch date of your mobile, it will accept one or more types of SIM. Recent smartphones use Nano SIMs, while older ones use SIM or MicroSIM.
What are the benefits of eSIM vs SIM?
Is the eSIM better than the SIM card? To answer this question, it is necessary to take a look at the advantages and disadvantages that each of these products offers us. On the one hand, we must take into account that, although the Nano SIMs currently used seem quite small, the reality is that they measure three times more than an eSIM. This implies additional space for more components or perhaps a larger battery. However, the technical benefits are not the only ones that exist between the eSIM vs SIM, since, for users, there are also multiple benefits.
The first of them is that, since there is no SIM card to insert into your smartphone, we will not have to worry about looking for a key to open the SIM tray of our mobile phone nor will we have to worry about the possible loss of the card. In addition to this, portability with the new eSIM is much simpler , since it will be enough to download the operator’s profile using the QR code without having to wait for the physical SIM card and we can even have up to 10 numbers on the same smartphone
On the other hand, if you are a travel lover and love to enjoy a good connection during your vacation, eSIMs can also help you in this regard. Thanks to international eSIMs for travel that will allow you to connect to the internet at any time and anywhere in the world without having to leave your home or hotel to look for a SIM card and without having to wait for an address. Well, since it is a totally virtual product, the shipping time and cost is completely zero.
Disadvantages of eSIM vs SIM
The main disadvantage of the eSIM is that, since it is a fairly recent product, there are not enough smartphones with this technology , which makes it difficult both to use it and to be able to change smartphones without the fear of losing our contacts and numbers. Since we cannot simply transfer your eSIM to a device that does not have this technology. It also makes it more difficult to check for errors, since in the case of SIM cards, if they do not connect to the internet correctly, it is easy to take it out and try it on another smartphone to see if the problem persists. This, however, cannot be done with the eSIM.
Finally, there is the fact that, as always, new technologies take time to become widespread, so the support and availability of eSIMs vs SIMs is quite limited.
How to set up an eSIM vs SIM
Setting up an eSIM is as easy as taking a photo. However, it is important that you know that the configuration process will vary depending on the operating system your smartphone uses. In order to save you some time, below are the two ways to configure your eSIM.
- iOS: First you will have to go to your mobile settings > cell phone or mobile data > Add data plan, after this you will only have to point your mobile camera at the QR code of your eSIM.
- Android: To configure your eSIM you will have to go to Settings > Network and Internet > Add > follow the steps shown > Choose “Use two numbers” when prompted > Scan the QR code.
On the other hand, to configure SIM cards all you have to do is insert the plastic card into your smartphone and follow the steps indicated by your provider or mobile operator. Usually, these steps are to call a number like *111# and select a series of options to activate the SIM card .
How and where to get an eSIM
If after seeing this comparison between the eSIM vs SIM you are interested in acquiring an eSIM, but you don’t know how or where, don’t worry, since here we will show you the two ways to acquire an eSIM so that you can connect to the internet. Before starting, you must keep in mind that there are two types of eSIM, local eSIMs and travel eSIMs. For both types you must have a compatible smartphone and meet the above requirements.
eSIM for travel
To acquire an eSIM for travel you must buy it in virtual stores that offer this type of products. Among these virtual stores, which offers us eSIM for any destination at a fairly affordable price and with additional advantages. Within these additional advantages we can get customer service available 24 hours a day, every day and completely in Spanish.
local eSIM
On the other hand, if you want to purchase a local eSIM you will have to go to one of the branches of any of the mobile operators that offers this product in your country and request a postpaid or prepaid plan that includes an eSIM. In the case of Spain we can acquire a local eSIM with Vodafone. For this we will have to go to your branch and request a data plan that includes this product.
Final recommendation
Finally, we can conclude that, despite still having a long way to go, the eSIM is currently the best option to connect to the internet both in our country of origin and if we want to connect during our vacations abroad. This is mainly due to the advantages that we mentioned above.
