There is no doubt that the world of mobile communication has changed dramatically in the last decade. In an era where connectivity is becoming a basic commodity, communication manufacturers are constantly working to improve the user experience and ensure smoother and more efficient data transfer. This is probably the reason why the leading manufacturers in the market are now enthusiastically adopting the eSIM technology. The ability to implement SIM functionality without any need for the traditional plastic card expands our range of possibilities more than ever. Today, this trend is led by the industrial giants Apple and Samsung, who have significantly expanded the range of models that support eSIM. This change not only sets a new standard in the industry but also motivates other phone manufacturers to follow suit.
eSIM enabled phones listed by brand 2024. Source: Mobilise
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Apple’s journey in the intricacies of new technology
Apple is undoubtedly the main pioneer in the field of eSIM and introduced the first devices supporting the technology already in the iPhone XR and XS in 2018. Since then, the company continues to pave the way in this aspect with the high point coming in 2022, when it launches the iPhone 14. For the first time, A device supporting eSIM is launched exclusively in the USA. The SIM card has completely disappeared. This bold move sent a clear message to competitors. Apple is committed to eSIM technology and in many ways, such a statement lays the foundations for an overall trend in the market.
Samsung is in a hurry to catch up
Although Apple pioneered this technology, Samsung recognized the trend quickly and established itself as the main player today. The company has steadily increased the number of eSIM-supporting models in its product lineup. Thanks to these efforts, as of 2024, Samsung boasts the highest number of eSIM-capable smartphone models, surpassing even Apple’s. Among other things, popular models such as the Galaxy S21 and S22 series, which have been widely appreciated for their performance and innovative features, also offer eSIM technology.
How do these changes affect other manufacturers?
The success of Apple and Samsung with the eSIM technology made waves throughout the industry. Other manufacturers are now prioritizing eSIM capabilities in their development processes to stay competitive and meet evolving consumer demands.
Google and Motorola are the first to join
Google, Apple, and Motorola were among the first companies to adopt the technology. Launched in 2017, Google’s Pixel 2 was one of the first smartphones available to the consumer with eSIM capabilities. Apple followed with XS series in 2018. Motorola launched the RAZR in 2019.
Today, many other manufacturers such as Xiaomi, Vivo and Nokia, have recently introduced their first models that support eSIM.
The growing adoption of eSIM technology by various manufacturers is reshaping the characteristics of market competition. Companies that initially treated the technology with a “respect it and suspect it” approach are now recognizing the benefits and incorporating eSIM into their devices to stay relevant and meet consumer expectations.
Why has the eSIM been integrated into devices so enthusiastically?
The adoption of technology did not occur in a vacuum. There are some revolutionary advantages offered by the technology that have led the communication giants to lead the trend in the industry.
1. Greater flexibility than ever before – eSIM technology allows users to switch providers easily without the need for a physical SIM card. The flexibility will contribute to the competition and the pricing of the services and provides a tremendous added value to travelers abroad, who will be able to move to the appropriate plan for the destination country with the wave of a QR scan.
2. Improved security – the ability to set up a SIM card and block or delete data remotely, makes it possible to improve security. In any scenario where the device is stolen or lost, you can block access to the information with the click of a button.
3. Ever more compact design – by eliminating the need for a physical SIM slot, manufacturers can design more compact and efficient devices. This option quickly translates to larger batteries, high-quality cameras and new features.
The growing adoption of eSIM technology by industry giants Apple and Samsung sets a new standard in the mobile industry. These companies demonstrated a commitment to technology and in many ways, this expression of confidence changed the course of technological development forever in everything related to the cellular industry. This trend affects markets that so far have not been in a hurry to adopt the technology and is now evident among all manufacturers. For us consumers, this means greater flexibility than ever in our options with suppliers and ease of use that we have yet to get to know. At the end of the day, for each and every one of us, switching to eSIM is no longer a question of “if”, but only of “when”.