eSIM vs Physical SIM: What are the differences?

What is the difference between eSIM and physical SIM?

If you want to use your smartphone, you’re going to need a SIM card of some sort. The Subscriber Identification Module (SIM) is essentially what is used to connect your phone to a mobile network or carrier so you can use your phone for calls, texts, and the internet.

A SIM card is a small plastic rectangle card you slot into your phone. SIM cards have shrunk over the years from the Mini-SIM to Micro-SIM, and the latest iteration, known as the nanoSIM.

eSIM is an embedded SIM card, which is a method to allow access to carrier information without inserting a physical SIM card in your smartphone. eSIM works the same as a physical SIM does, but the way to activate it differs from a physical sim. To activate eSIMs on your device, you need to scan a QR code from the carrier, and your new number and SIM will be registered on your device.

We can say that an eSIM is an excellent alternative to a physical SIM card.