We will compare eSIM vs Physical SIM on nearly 10 fronts that contribute to the differences between an eSIM and a physical SIM.
Like everything else, both eSIM and physical SIM have their strengths and weaknesses.
Once you’ve been through this article, you’ll understand what separates an eSIM from a physical SIM making your decision easier.
Table of Contents
eSIM vs Physical SIM: Primary differences
Here are the primary features that set apart an eSIM from a physical SIM:
- Physical vs. Digital
- Security differences
- Documentation
- Installation
- Ease of switching network
- Basic working differences
- Feature differences
eSIM vs Physical SIM: What’s common?
To better understand the eSIM pros and cons, let us first understand what is eSIM and how it’s even related to a physical SIM.
eSIM is the abbreviation for “embedded sim”. Technicalities aside, it is a digital sim. Just like your phone number,
Like a physical SIM, an eSIM allows you to browse the internet and make calls. But it’s not as straightforward as this. Let us discuss the differences between an eSIM and a physical SIM.
Physical SIM vs eSIM: What’s different?
The most prominent differences between eSIM and SIM are:
Physical form
The first thing you notice when you see a physical SIM vs eSIM is that the physical SIM exists physically, but the eSIM doesn’t.
The eSIM is almost entirely like an “app” or something you download over the internet. This difference in form actually is the cause for many of the other differences between an eSIM and a physical sim that we will discuss later.
eSIM vs Physical SIM security
Because it’s not physical, the eSIM actually has a few security benefits over physical SIM cards.
For starters, you do not have to worry about the SIM getting lost or stolen. You can’t drop it and it can’t slide out of your SIM tray.
Then, because it’s a digital SIM card, it’s much harder to physically clone as compared to physical SIM cards. This ensures you do not get into legal or any other trouble caused by someone else using your SIM cards.
Documentation
This is one of the other stark differences we see when comparing an eSIM vs a Physical SIM. Getting a physical SIM requires documents. They can be identity documents, financial documents, or anything else depending on your country and region.
Getting an e-SIM is actually much easier. In most cases, no documentation is required. At best, you need an e-mail ID that you can create within minutes. Of course, this policy depends on the exact eSIM provider you go with.
Installation
Installing both types of SIM cards is very different as well. The physical SIM requires you to insert the SIM card inside your phone. It’s different with an eSIM. Instead of pushing a physical sim card inside your phone, you “install” an eSIM like installing an app.
From a realistic point-of-view, installing a physical SIM is easier, more straightforward, and requires less technical skills than eSIM.
Installing the eSIM will mostly require you to scan a QR code and follow instructions. While it’s not rocket science either, it may be a slight learning curve, especially for less tech-savvy users.
Switching network: eSIM vs physical SIM for travel which is better?
How do you switch the network on a physical SIM? By changing the actual SIM. This also means In most cases, you’ll also need a SIM ejector to do that. Carrying an ejector with you isn’t exactly very travel-friendly.
Moreover, getting a physical SIM includes the added hassle of documentation and sometimes physical visits to the SIM company offices.
It also means you’ll have to carry X number of SIM cards if you need access to X number of networks.
This is what makes eSIM a better option than physical sim if you want to compare eSIM vs physical sim for travel.
You can switch networks in a few clicks on an eSIM. Not just networks, but entire countries! You can simply download a different profile on your eSIM when you change countries and instantly start using this other network!
Sim card vs eSim: Basic working differences
While the general purpose and features remain similar, how these two types of SIM cards function is actually slightly different.
So, physical SIM cards store your profile on the actual physical SIM chip. This includes your phone number, subscribed plan, etc. When the SIM goes into your phone, the data from the SIM chip is read by the phone and the SIM then connects to the right network.
An eSIM on the other hand has no physical form or chip as we discussed. As soon as you install an eSIM, it downloads the same profile data as a physical SIM but over the internet. The data is provided by your eSIM provider.
Because of this over the internet workaround, you can switch SIM profiles and networks as easily as you can.
eSIM vs physical SIM performance
The obvious question now is, is there an eSIM vs physical SIM speed difference? There isn’t. On a technical level, the same factors that impact a physical SIM also impact an eSIM, with one major exception.
If the chip on your physical SIM is broken or dirty or in any way physically altered, it of course impacts the phone’s ability to read the chip. But this is an ultra-rare scenario.
Apart from that, the eSIM vs physical SIM speed differences are identical, if all other factors are identical. As in, the distance from the tower, obstructions in the way, and your phone’s receptors are the actual factors that decide how good/bad your connection will be.
A technical “loophole” does exist when it comes to eSIM speed though. If your network isn’t good, you can change the network in a few minutes at best. That’s something you can’t do with a physical SIM (unless you own an extra physical SIM just for emergencies!).
Bottomline? There’s no eSIM vs physical SIM signal strength because of the SIM type.
Availability of calling/data and text features
This is another major difference between an eSIM and a physical SIM. It’s also one of the most confusing features, at least if you’re new.
You may assume you get a new contact number with your eSIM. You don’t. eSIM cards do not always grant you a new contact number. They’re mostly for only data (internet). On the other hand, physical SIM cards as we know always come with a contact number.
Yes, eSIM with contact numbers exists and can be bought. But you must read what your eSIM provider is offering before placing an order.
You can make calls with all eSIM cards using services such as Whatsapp, Instagram, or anything else over the internet. It’s the “sim card but without a number” part that may be new and confusing for most.
Physical SIM pros and cons
This article may make you feel like eSIM is winning this eSim vs Physical Sim battle, and it is. However, physical SIM is not without its own superpowers. Here are some features that still make physical SIM cards a better choice than eSIMs:
- Physical SIM is easier to install on a phone and requires almost no “tech” knowledge.
- Changing a physical SIM from one device to another is simpler and faster. No profiles have to be deleted or re-downloaded. You simply take the SIM out and insert it into your new phone.
- Physical SIM cards support a wider range of networks. Unfortunately, eSIM is a pretty new technology. Hence, your preferred network or country may not yet be on the eSIM train.
Is eSIM better than physical SIM?
Yes. eSIM is better than physical SIM on multiple factors. Nearly everything that counts for a SIM card is done better by an eSIM as compared to a physical SIM.
The physical form, security, document requirements, installation, network switching, and everything else is better and faster on an eSIM. The best part is there’s almost no tradeoff. You don’t lose out on any major physical SIM features for these features.
Of course, there are also a few disadvantages of eSIM that we’ve covered in our previous post.
Conclusion
In a nutshell, the primary eSIM vs physical sim differences are in the form (physical sim vs digital sim), the process of installation, and documentation requirements.
An eSIM is the logical next step in the evolutionary scale of SIM cards with everything going digital around us. Let’s wait around a few years to see how the SIM card vs eSIM battle shapes out then.
