More and more smartphones, particularly the latest Apple models and several Android flagships, are dropping the physical SIM slot in favor of the eSIM — a fully digital SIM built directly into the phone.
How it works
Unlike a traditional SIM, there’s no card to insert or remove: the carrier profile is downloaded directly onto the phone via a QR code provided by the carrier, or through the carrier’s official app. The whole process takes just a few minutes and doesn’t require a store visit, though that option remains available if you’d rather get help.
Practical advantages
The most concrete advantage is that it eliminates the risk of losing or damaging the physical card when switching phones. Many compatible smartphones also let you keep an eSIM and a physical SIM active at the same time, handy for keeping a personal number separate from a work one without carrying two phones.
Which carriers support it
Most major carriers worldwide now support eSIM, typically available to request through the carrier’s app, website, or in-store with an ID. For travelers, there are also temporary data-only eSIMs from international marketplaces like Airalo or Holafly, useful for getting data connectivity abroad without swapping a physical SIM.
eSIM-only smartphones
Some recent models, like the iPhone 16e in the US market and other compact devices, no longer have a physical slot at all: they’re eSIM-only. Before buying one of these models, check that your carrier supports eSIM in your area.