To put it plainly, eSIMs transform mobile data and security. Apple first introduced eSIM support in September 2017 with the Apple Watch Series 3. The first iPhone models to support it were the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR in September 2018. The first iPad model was the iPad Pro (3rd generation) in October 2018.
In September 2022, Apple unveiled the iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro, and iPhone 14 Pro Max, the first iPhone models not to have a SIM card tray and to work exclusively with eSIM. Outside the United States, all iPhone models continue to be sold with support for both eSIM and physical SIM cards.
MacDailyNews Take: In mainland China eSIM still is not supported – very likely due to the CCP’s continual need to control and surveil its populace lest it awaken en masse.
Short for Electronic Subscriber Identity Module, an eSIM is essentially a programmable SIM card.
That means it never has to leave your device… Instead, all you need to do when you want to change providers or go abroad is scan a quick QR code.
Plus, with an eSIM you can stop worrying about data roaming. You’ll know exactly where you can go and what it’ll cost upfront, allowing you to cross borders for work or play without a care in the world.
That goes for security, too. Whether or not you realize it, your traditional SIM is a sitting duck when it comes to simjacking, SIM cloning, and SIM swaps.
By contrast, an eSIM is an impenetrable fortress, requiring an activation code and refusing to share personal information unless you explicitly allow it.
MacDailyNews Take: With iPhone 14 Pro Max, we said a hearty goodbye and good riddance to swapping out tiny SIM cards when traveling internationally!
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Can somebody explain more about this?
“Plus, with an eSIM you can stop worrying about data roaming. You’ll know exactly where you can go and what it’ll cost upfront, allowing you to cross borders for work or play without a care in the world.”
Leave data roaming on?
Read small print to learn about costs? Just like with a physical SIM?
🤔
My question too… how does it eSIM act any differently to help show what it will cost up front? From what I can tell, you still need to care.
I have a physical EU sim and a US eSim in my 12 Pro Max. There seem to be some automatic things going on when you travel between continents but you still definitely need to make sure the settings are what you want them to be. I recently discovered that iMessage was off for my EU number so I had to switch it on. We all know Apple’s software is becoming less reliable so you definitely need to keep an eye on things when traveling internationally with the potential for huge roaming costs. Best to reset your cellular data statistics whenever you travel to keep an eye on how much you’re using. That said, even though there have been some annoyances, I like having two numbers on one device instead of swapping swims every few months.