SIM cards are dead, long live eSIMs

Niki Torres
Nov 1 · 4 min read

With SIM cards shrinking in size every few years, it’s only a matter of time for the Nano SIM (having come from its slightly larger predecessor, the Micro SIM) to eventually disappear. In fact, it already has.

Enter, the embedded SIM, or eSIM.

What is an eSIM?

Embedded SIMs replace your normal SIM card slot by having a chip embedded inside your phone. If your SIM cards are like thumb drives, then eSIMs are your hard drives.

How do eSIMs work?

When you travel and want to get data connection, you normally will want to get a local SIM card. They’re usually the cheaper option than data roaming or renting WiFi devices.

For eSIMs, you can buy them online on airalo.com and simply install it by way of a QR code or by manually installing it. The process takes less than 2 minutes and can be done before you fly.

Photo by Javier Cañada on Unsplash

How can I start using eSIMs?

Since eSIMs are relatively new technology and is part of a device’s hardware, only the latest devices have eSIMs capabilities. As of this writing, the eSIM capable devices are:

  • iPhone 11 / 11 Pro / 11 Pro Max

To get the latest information on eSIM devices, check back often on this
Airalo FAQ page.

The 5 benefits of eSIMs

There are quite a few, but here are our favourites.

1) Multi eSIMs are great for globetrotters

Depending on your device, you can store a number of eSIMs on your phone. For the iPhones, you can store up to 15 eSIMs and turn them on or off depending on the location you’re visiting. This eliminates those pesky need to bring a few SIM cards along.

Photo by Brett Jordan on Unsplash

2) eSIMs are earth-friendly

One of best things about eSIMs is that it does away with the plastic that normally houses SIM cards. Instead of having 15 of those plastic cards, you only have an embedded chip, which can then be installed with any eSIM from airalo.com to more than 100+ countries.

3) eSIMs are super convenient

Since you don’t need to buy local SIM cards or rent a pocket WiFi, you can easily sort your data days or even months before you travel. You don’t need to wait in line to buy them or figure out logistics for getting/returning your rented device. With less devices on you as you navigate a new city, that’s one less thing to charge and lug around.

4) eSIMs are budget-friendly

eSIMs are relatively easier to manage than SIM cards (no physical products to ship or manufacture) so the savings are passed on to you. In fact, we’ve got some data packs that offer 10GB for a whole month, that easily puts it at less than $2 a day. Airalo offers data packs at real local rates, so be sure to check out airalo.com.

5) eSIMs live forever

We weren’t kidding when we said long live eSIMs, because they pretty much never expire. While the data validity expires after a day, 7 days, or 30 days (depending on what you purchased) you can always top up the data on your eSIMS anytime and indefinitely. However, we do have eSIMs for unlimited data for some countries, and those, unfortunately don’t live forever. But at least there’s no waste and all you have to do is delete and install a new one.


We truly believe eSIMs are the next generation and Airalo is excited to be part of the first movement that gets it to the mainstream. We are a small, growing team co-located across Singapore, Sweden, and Turkey.

Follow along on our journey here and on social media. Connect with us on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

airalo

World’s first eSIM store, offering real local data packs to over 100+ countries. With an eSIM compatible device, you get both convenience, connectivity and freedom. Never have to carry multiple SIM cards or change your number again. Try your first eSIM with us.

Niki Torres

Written by

I write about creating meaningful friendships at work, diversity, and UX writing. I also produce and host a podcast over at chiefbestfriends.com

airalo

airalo

World’s first eSIM store, offering real local data packs to over 100+ countries. With an eSIM compatible device, you get both convenience, connectivity and freedom. Never have to carry multiple SIM cards or change your number again. Try your first eSIM with us.

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