More and more smartphones now accept the eSIM, a virtual SIM card to replace the famous physical SIM card inserted in mobiles since their inception. Practical or gimmicky? We take stock.
One of the first things you do when unboxing a new smartphone is to take the SIM card extractor, a kind of small metal pin delivered in the box, to insert the SIM card their operator in the device and connect to their network. An essential step for making and receiving phone calls, exchanging by SMS or even connecting to the Internet via the 3G/4G/5G network. Historically, and culturally also, inseparable from the smartphone and even from any mobile phone, the physical SIM card will gradually disappear. Her replacement? A virtual SIM card called eSIM for Embedded Subscriber Identification Module (or embedded subscription identification module in French). It eliminates the small piece of plastic containing a chip while offering the same services as its elder. Many smartphones already accept eSIM “cards” such as iPhones, Google Pixels, but also Samsung, Huawei and Oppo devices. Apple even struck a blow with the release of the iPhone 14 since the models intended for the United States no longer have a SIM card drawer and only accept eSIMs. A bit radical the firm at the apple? Maybe. Especially since in France, the eSIM is slowly breaking through. All operators offer it but few really promote it. Habits are not so easily changed, even if the eSIM has many advantages.
The eSIM is nothing more than a SIM card but in a dematerialized version. Finally, not quite since it is a chip nestled inside the smartphone, and therefore installed by its manufacturer, which replaces it. This chip therefore accommodates all the information traditionally stored on the physical SIM card: data linked to the operator’s mobile network, the identifiers of the owner’s line, the mobile number, access to the data network (3G/4G/ 5G), not to mention the famous PIN code to unlock it and access the operator’s network. Rest assured. Without the physical chip that stores all this data, you don’t have to enter it yourself to join your carrier’s network. Using your new smartphone, all you have to do is enter a code or scan a QR code sent by email or available in your customer area from your operator to retrieve all the information you need to connect.
An operation that can only be performed when the mobile is connected to a WiFi network since it must download data and therefore be connected to the Internet. Once all the data has been retrieved, your smartphone is ready and immediately connected to the mobile network as if you had inserted a physical SIM card.
What are the benefits of eSIM?
Since the eSIM has the same functions as a physical SIM card, why switch to it? There are several good reasons to take the plunge.
Shorter commissioning times. When you subscribe to a mobile plan with an operator, the operator asks you to wait a few days while your physical SIM card is sent to you by post. For new customers (without requesting number portability), this period no longer exists. When your subscription is validated, simply scan the QR Code provided by the operator to instantly enjoy your line. If a portability request is in progress, you can also take advantage of your eSIM with a temporary number. An update will then be sent to your mobile when the mobile number is permanently activated.
Sharing between multiple devices. Having an eSIM also allows you to take advantage of the connection to the operator’s network on a connected watch or a compatible tablet, for example. Convenient if, for example, you want to go jogging without bothering with your smartphone but while keeping the possibility of making and receiving phone calls or SMS from a connected watch. The mobile line thus remains attached to several devices simultaneously. Please note that this is an option. For the moment, only Orange and SFR offer an option for connected watches. It is billed at 5 euros per month with the two operators (see the list of compatible watches at Orange and SFR) to which are added 10 euros for commissioning costs.
Smartphones that are more resistant and more versatile. By eliminating the drawer devoted to the SIM card, smartphone manufacturers simultaneously eliminate a potential entry point when the mobile falls into the water. It also saves a little space in this very cramped space. This is one of the reasons why the jack for connecting wired headphones has also gradually disappeared. For the moment, only Apple with its iPhone 14 has removed the SIM card drawer on models sold across the Atlantic. In addition, some smartphones can accommodate several telephone lines. Fixed at a maximum of two with classic SIM cards, the limit can reach eight eSIMs for example on the iPhone 14 Pro Max. The multiplication of lines and eSIM cards on the same mobile, however, requires a little cerebral gymnastics to navigate.
More environmentally friendly than a physical SIM card. At a time when ecological awareness is finally gaining importance, the eSIM also represents a great step forward. Since the “card” becomes virtual, there is no more SIM card to manufacture and therefore less plastic produced and thrown away. It is also less paper consumed (since there is no shipping by post) and no transport costs. Better than nothing. This does not prevent operators from charging you for the activation of an eSIM at the same price as a conventional SIM card. There is no small profit.
What are the disadvantages of eSIM?
Switching to eSIM remains tempting but also raises some practical questions. Indeed, without a physical SIM card, you have to review some habits. Some operations become more complex.
How to transfer an eSIM from one smartphone to another?
With a classic SIM card, when you want to change smartphone, you just have to remove the card from the old one, insert it into the new one, enter the PIN code and you’re done. With the eSIM, the operation is more delicate. According to the operators, it is necessary to deactivate the ESIM on the old smartphone and then activate it on the new one using the QR Code available in the customer area. At Orange, we would like to point out that you should not delete the eSIM from the old mobile before having transferred it to the new one. In addition, to perform the transfer, the new smartphone must be connected to the Internet via WiFi in order to download the eSIM user profile.
Attention : if for one reason or another you decide to reset your smartphone to factory settings and delete all the data it contains (to give it away, resell it or simply breathe new life into it, for example), your profile eSIM will also be removed. Make sure before this operation that you have all the information and follow all the necessary steps to find your line. To avoid any mishandling, inquire in your operator’s customer area or in store.
What to do with the eSIM in case of theft, loss or breakage of the mobile?
Your smartphone is broken and no longer turns on? Did you lose it or was it stolen? It is therefore impossible to access your eSIM profile on your mobile to transfer it to another device. Direction to your operator’s customer area. The procedures may vary to recover your line on a new smartphone. Generally speaking, you will be able to deactivate your eSIM remotely and reactivate it on your new smartphone using a QR code. At Orange, for example, you will have to apply for a renewal to a physical SIM card – and in passing be charged 10 euros for activation costs – before switching to an eSIM (free operation this time). At SFR, you will have to ask an advisor to activate a new eSIM. Moreover, it is impossible with this operator to get your hands on the QR code for activating your eSIM if it is more than a year old. It will be necessary to contact an adviser or to request the sending of a physical SIM card (SFR does not specify the costs of this operation). At Bouygues, all you have to do is request the replacement of the eSIM. Again, no cost is indicated. Finally, at Free, the renewal request, whatever the reason, is charged 10 euros. In case of theft or loss, the line must be suspended. If it is a question of transferring the eSIM from a broken smartphone to a new device, it will be necessary to request a renewal. When activating the new eSIM, the old one will be deactivated.
A memory lapse, several incorrect PIN codes entered and your mobile line is blocked. To get out of it, you need the PUK code. Acronym for Personal Unblocking/Unlocking Key or PIN Unblocking/Unlocking Key, depending on the version, which can be translated as “personal identification number unlocking key”, the PUK code is a kind of emergency PIN code that will allow you to unblock your line on the smartphone (read our practical sheet to find out all about the PUK code). To find it, again go to your operator’s customer area. Associated with the QR code necessary for the activation of your eSIM, must also appear the PUK code. It may also have been emailed to you when you activated your eSIM.
How much does the eSIM cost?
Although entirely dematerialized and therefore existing only in digital form, the eSIM is billed at the same price as a physical SIM card, i.e. around ten euros with all operators (in addition to your mobile plan). This format is available from all operators and some MVNOs. In France, Orange was the forerunner in this field by launching its first eSIM when the iPhone XS, the first eSIM-compatible iPhone, was released in 2018. The other operators followed suit. Only Free is still lagging behind. If the operator does offer the eSIM for its new subscribers, existing customers have only started to be able to switch to the eSIM since November 2022. But beware, just like at Bouygues Télécom, the eSIM is not compatible with connected watches.
Which smartphones are eSIM compatible?
To be able to take advantage of the eSIM, you still need to have a compatible smartphone, equipped with the famous chip that will store the data linking you to your operator. At the moment, these are mainly mid/high-end models. Here is the non-exhaustive list of the main models capable of accepting the eSIM.
iPhone XR, iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone 11 Pro Max, iPhone SE (2020), iPhone 12 Mini, iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Pro, iPhone 12 Pro Max, iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13 , iPhone 13 Pro, iPhone 13 Pro Max, iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 14 Pro Max, iPhone SE (2022),
Fairphone 4
Pixel 3, Pixel 3a, Pixel 4, Pixel 4a, Pixel 5, Pixel 6, Pixel 6 Pro, Pixel 7, Pixel 7 Pro
Magic 4 Pro
P40, P40 Pro, Mate 40 Pro
Razr 2019, Razr 5G, Razr 2022
Find X3 Pro, Find X5, Find X5 Pro, Reno 5A, Reno6 Pro 5G, A55s 5G
Galaxy Fold, Galaxy Z Fold 2 5G, Galaxy Z Flip, Galaxy Z Flip 2, Galaxy Z Flip 3, Galaxy Z Flip 4, Galaxy Z Flip 5G, Galaxy Z Fold2 5G, Galaxy Z Fold 4 5G, Galaxy S20, Galaxy S21, Galaxy S21+ 5G, Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G, Galaxy S22, Galaxy S22+, Galaxy S22 Ultra, Galaxy Note 20 Ultra 5G, Galaxy Note 20, Galaxy Z Fold3 5G
Xperia 10 III, Xperia 10 IV, Xperia 10 III Lite, Xperia 1 IV
Xiaomi 12T Pro