iSIM is accelerating the demise of eSIMs

Okay, we know from the start that smartphones manufacturers are trying to reduce the size of their devices since a very long time. For example, Apple’s “brave” move to remove the headphone jack to make its devices a little thinner. Now it’s time for SIM cards to go through that same process.

What is iSIM? Why should I care?

Chip designer, ARM, is pushing its limits further and came up with iSIMs. They created a new component in the chipset that packs the SIM in the same chip as the processor. The component reportedly takes up a mere ‘fraction of a millimetre squared’ compared to current SIM cards which tend to be about 12.3mm x 8.8mm in overall size. When chip designers are creating a chip, every millimetre matters and integrating them directly into the processor will free up a lot of space as it was an area of concern for most of the hardware manufacturers. It might also take down the cost of integration for the manufacturers.

Naturally, devices have gone smaller and became more powerful over time and iSIM is merely helping us to keep up with technological growth. The space iSIM would end up freeing can be utilised for a larger battery, thinner devices, or simply more powerful machines. It may also enable SIM to be added in the watches, wearable tech and other devices. And eventually, make them internet enabled and constitute to a better ecosystem of IoT devices. ARM still needs major brands to jump on board with this technology and make it widespread.

Why not eSIMs?

ARM is developing the technology first for the small IoT devices like wireless sensors, etc. that need a cellular connection to report their findings. Eventually, making these chips omnipresent and used extensively in the IoT devices. Phone makers, however, already have an alternative to this technology; eSIMs. They are ready to replace traditional nano-SIMs and are gaining popularity in tablets and wearables though. Even Google’s latest Pixel comes with it. ARM is placing its bets on the fact that iSIMs will be welcomed by the carriers and will roll out in certain devices by the end of the year. It takes far less space than eSIM which takes around 6 X 5 millimetres and integrates right into the chip which might make it a better option than eSIMs; which we saw in Apple Watch and Pixel.

Conceptually, iSIM is not very different from eSIM but the space it takes is comparatively lesser. It can store your data like your contacts, carrier settings and other account data on the cloud, making it harder for hackers to access it as the data is stored on a secure enclave. The primary advantage over the existing eSIM standard is reduced cost; while eSIM still uses a separate chip, iSIM is built into the device’s processor. While an eSIM is a dedicated chip attached to a gadget’s processor, an iSIM is embedded in the main System on a Chip (SoC) alongside the processor. That might only be a subtle difference, but it is an important one for a number of growing use cases that demand high levels of security. However, customers will still be able to shift carriers easily.

Both eSIMs and iSIMs give the user the ability to link multiple carriers in a single device and allow them to switch their carriers without any hardware exchange. Multiple operators help in international roaming, having two numbers and managing their credentials and access multiple devices.

eSIMs only just hit the market, but are already ready to be overrun by iSIMs the newer process is more tightly integrated with the rest of the chipset. In a sense, the iSIM is the first generation of a SIM-less future.