Understanding eSIM

[Marc_LFD]

I watched this video:



So an eSIM is either a cellular app you download or buy a wireless (WiFi?) plan from a provider, is that right? Physical Sim cards have become an inconvenience now somehow?

Apple got rid of the headphone jack, and now the Sim card, I wonder what they'll remove next... Internal storage (except for the system & updates) and force users to use cloud storage only??

I feel like an old timer feeling lost.

 

[Plazorn]

fools, Apple doesn't realize that jailbreaking could possibly give you free eSim cards lol

 

[The Catboy]

I honestly don’t care about actual SIMs ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

 

[Plstic]

I think its just a way to push locking into carriers.

 

[JFizDaWiz]

[redacted]

 

[Smoker1]

This is a Attempt to have fully sealed Devices. Notice that Headphone Jacks and now MicroSD Card Storage are going away. Next will be SIM Cards, and Charging Ports. That way People can be Idiots and drop their Phones into Sand and Water like Idiots.

 

[Marc_LFD]

I honestly don’t care about actual SIMs ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

I use them so it matters to me.

I think its just a way to push locking into carriers.

It is. They just keep on removing options/features and dictate how we use the phone.

Apple wasn't even the first to use eSIM and first used it in the Apple Watch a year prior to introducing it into iPhone in 2018 and only now with iPhone 14 are they getting rid of the SIM all together. eSIM is not new, it's a 6 year old technology at this point

Fair enough, but Apple is well known for removing features or not even adding them (SD card support).

I use a classic-style Nokia cell phone and an Android (Samsung) so certainly have no plans of using/forcing myself to change to this "option."

 

[Latiodile]

I think its just a way to push locking into carriers.

in canada locking a phone to a provider has been illegal for a handful of years now, so this tactic wouldn't fly here

 

[Marc_LFD]

in canada locking a phone to a provider has been illegal for a handful of years now, so this tactic wouldn't fly here

I read the U.K. has banned locked phone providers so it's a good thing countries are slowly breaking away from being chained up.

eSIM sounds a very bad idea, imo

 

[AmandaRose]

I read the U.K. has banned locked phone providers so it's a good thing countries are slowly breaking away from being chained up.

eSIM sounds a very bad idea, imo

Yep the U.K has banned locked phones. Phones also phones must have a sim card that is why Apple is having to sell the new IPhone's with a sim tray here.

 

[The Catboy]

I use them so it matters to me.

That's fair. I've always found them to be annoying when I was in the business of selling smartphones. eSIMs seem like they could be easier to work with. I honestly doubt most end users will even notice the change or even care that it did change. From what's being described, they actually look easier to work with when setting up for a carrier.

 

[jeffyTheHomebrewer]

Kind of a tech guy here. Never had a eSIM phone before, but afaik it's just a built-in SIM card that, in some phones, can probably just be "downloaded" to replace it and switch carriers. It can also be used with a regular "real" SIM card for two phone numbers if the phone has a SIM slot.

 

[Marc_LFD]

I honestly doubt most end users will even notice the change or even care that it did change. From what's being described, they actually look easier to work with when setting up for a carrier.

With smartphones it may eventually be convenient and easy to use, but brick phones, this isn't a thing.

Locking customers to how they want us to use it, it's giving up freedom of choice and options.