More and more users are moving away from the communication standard via SIM cards, and giving preference to eSIM technology. What is the essence of these technologies? Are they similar, and what is fundamentally different about them? Let’s take a look at the eSIM vs. SIM opposition and find out which is better.

Before talking about similarities, let’s understand the meaning of both concepts. The term SIM (subscriber identity module) means “client identification module”. That is, the purpose of the card is to link the phone to your electronic account. The card itself is a microprocessor with a key generated by the operator, which allows you to save your account when you change your mobile device to another one. Thus, a SIM is a physical card in a phone to which a number and a telecom operator are linked.

An eSIM is a chip built into the gadget by the manufacturer and programmed to work with the communication provider.

Technically, both of these options have the same role: they provide access to communication for mobile phone owners.

• used to identify the smartphone and data plan;
• after activation, they open access to the services of selected mobile operators;
• store account information;
• provide opportunities for calls, messages, and internet use;
• regulated by the international ISO/IEC 7816 standard;
• use the same electrical interface;
• smartphones with them can receive numbers from different operators (for this, there must be several slots in a gadget design).

Important: SIM and eSIM can be used in parallel, they are not mutually exclusive.

Despite the fact that there are many similarities between them, both identification modules are different, primarily in appearance. A physical SIM card is a small piece of plastic with a built-in microprocessor. It must be manually inserted into a smartphone. An electronic SIM card (eSIM) is a chip with software built into the gadget. But this is not the only difference between them.

• Installation method. A physical SIM card needs to be installed in a gadget, and an electronic one is already built in.
• Operator change. In the case of a SIM card, it requires a new card, and if there is an eSIM, a user does it himself through smartphone settings.
• Application. A SIM card requires a physical slot to be installed, which limits the ability to install it in some gadgets. An eSIM can be inbuilt in wireless routers, on-board diagnostics systems, GPS navigation tracking devices, smart watches, headphones, meters, rear-view mirrors, and other technologies based on artificial intelligence.

What is the difference between SIM and eSIM? There is a slot for a physical card in all gadgets used for communication. As for eSIM, they can only be found in modern smartphone models — mostly flagships.

An eSIM device first appeared in 2016. It was Samsung’s Gear S2 smart watch. A year later, Apple introduced its Watch Series 3 with a digital SIM. Since then, every year more manufacturers have joined the technology, but the choice of gadgets is still much smaller than we would like.

A SIM card is a standard that is difficult to refuse in an instant. Therefore, manufacturers often include both communication options in their gadgets.