Using eSIM vs Physical SIM Card: Features and Differences

Using a eSIM vs Physical SIM Card – Virtual SIM cards are a new way to communicate and a method to be in touch. What are the main differences? Let’s break down the pros and cons of eSIM.

About the e-SIM card

The SIM cards we’re used to are being replaced by the new technology called eSIM. Modern Virtual card is an embedded card that is built into the phone’s main board. It comes as a part of the phone or the motherboard. The smartphone has no usual physical card, but there is a built-in chip, which stores data about the mobile operator, phone number, tariffs, and etc. Power for the virtual SIM-card takes from the smartphone itself, as well as NFC (Near Field Communication).

The eSIM provides mobile communications and Internet connectivity in the same way as a physical card. The only difference is that it cannot be lost or broken because it is built-in.

“How can I use it?” – you can ask. There are 4 main answers:

• When you need to buy one more card, but the smartphone has no more slots.
• Traveling and being in contact with the eternal world without a local SIM card.
• In case you want to use other independent devices for surfing the Internet.
• In case you should be always in touch with messengers, send virtual sms via virtual phone number or be online for clients and partners, etc.

Pros and cons

The main advantages of the virtual card: the ability to be online from anywhere in the world, choose a convenient rate and change phone numbers without changing your physical SIM card.You definitely won’t lose your card and can change the fare at any time.

In comparison (eSIM vs physical SIM) the digital card is suitable in most cases only for iOS operating systems. It’s easy to use, but before applying check this function via smartphone. Today eSIM is maintained by all of Apple’s latest iPhone (XS, Max, XR) and etc.

Using the card is absolutely safe. Especially if you keep your data to yourself and don’t give your cloud passwords and logins to anyone. In the case of losing your phone, a thief will not be able to use this function, because the phone will be blocked. In the case of a regular SIM, the thief can easily gain access to the bank account, if there is no password to the card.

How to connect

Make sure your device supports eSIM, or choose the right one from the online store. There are many options to connect the eSIM or eSIM plus. Choose a rate, get your order, connect your device to the internet and scan the QR code from the order.

The new number is activated using a QR code or a regular code, which you can get from your mobile operator. The code must be scanned on a smartphone with the Internet enabled (e.g. via Wi-Fi). Then you need to go to the settings and activate the obtained eSIM profile, adding a mobile tariff plan. You can switch to a new card both from the phone settings and with the help of cellular operators’ applications.

Conclusion

If you change devices, you will have to delete the settings from the old gadget. How many times you can use the same QR code is determined by each operator. For example, for MTS it is only 100 uses, according to the data on the website.