The world is witnessing great development in the mobile phones industry; people can no longer do without them. However, do you know that "Apple Inc." has dispensed with the SIM card slot in the American version of the iPhone 14 and started using built-in eSIM cards.
What are eSIMs?
The word SIM stands for the term "Subscriber Identity Module", which is the traditional chip we use in our mobile phones, while the letter "e" stands for the word "embedded".
These chips work the same way traditional chips do in terms of saving the data necessary to connect to the network; they also allow making calls, using text messages and data, and storing contact data. However, embedded SIMs differ from traditional SIMs in that they are built into the phone and cannot be removed or transferred to another phone. They are small silicon chips, 2.5 mm x 2.3 mm; nano chips are 8.8 mm x 12.3 mm.
"SIM card sizes" by Jbond2018
eSims require a service provider to use them, but there are some exceptions; some new devices do not need a service provider and only support Wi-Fi connectivity. They are programmable chips to download data for the network to connect to them. All the user has to do is purchase the SIM card, choose the service, and download it to the phone. The user can change networks without having to change the chip, as the process is all digital.
Advantages of eSIMs
One of the advantages of eSIMs is ease of switching networks without the need to install new SIM cards. This is beneficial to travelers; it is also possible to own more than one SIM card and they cannot be stolen or lost.
Since the eSIM does not take a lot of space in the phone, this space can be used to add other features or increase the battery size; it can also be used in wearable devices such as smart watches.
Disadvantages of eSIMs
At the time of writing this article, eSIMs are not supported by all networks or phones. When you change phones, all data is stored on the cloud and it takes a long time to download.
In eSIMs, the ability to track movement by network service providers is both an advantage and disadvantage. They can help locate where the phone is; however, the mobile may be prone to hacking, especially in cases of weak passwords. Among other disadvantages is that, if the mobile phone or the screen is broken or damaged, communication may be interrupted.
In conclusion, eSIMs have a positive impact on the environment, because they do not end up as plastic or metal waste. Moreover, there are no shipping or packaging processes for the SIM cards since it is a digital technology, which leads to reducing carbon emissions.
References
forbes.com
airalo.com
topdigital.agency
10ttech.com
alosim.com
thalesgroup.com
Cover iamge source: androidauthority.com