Carrier eSIM is BS

[pika2000]

A footnote from Apple.

eSIM will be available later this year through a software update. Use of eSIM requires a wireless service plan (which may include restrictions on switching service providers and roaming, even after contract expiration). Not all carriers support eSIM. Use of eSIM in iPhone may be disabled when purchased from some carriers. See your carrier for details. To learn more, visit https://support.apple.com/kb/HT209044.

So Apple is allowing carriers to lock the eSIM. This basically defeats the idea of a dual SIM phone, and can render the iPhone into a single SIM device. WTF? And what happen if a user had a SIM free iPhone? So that user ended up with an iPhone where the eSIM is locked? Ultra ridiculous.

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT209096
Worse, only a tiny number of carriers support the eSIM, making this feature pointless. So basically it’s nust a single SIM iPhones. The China model will be highly sought in Asia as being the only true dual SIM iPhone.

 

[Vagueinterest]

Apple has an ongoing complaint that the Department of Justice is investigating. It is that AT&T and Verizon are attempting to make eSIMs lockable to their networks.

Apple is against this plan but cannot determine the law of applicable countries and territiories themselves.

It remains a possibility that some countries (particularly the U.S.A.) may later allow carriers to lock eSIMS in the same way that they currently lock carrier subsidised CDMA and GSM phones (with normal SIM cards). It is also possible that AT&T and Verizon and other carriers will be unsuccessful and that eSIMs will change the industry for ever and allow people to switch SIMs and carriers via a simple menu selection on the phone. For consumers eSIMs are a good thing and most new iPhones have both a normal SIM tray and an eSIM.

 

[Mrs. Jobs]

Agree. So relieved that here in Hong Kong we will get the new phones with actual physical dual sim trays!

 

[Lyn2012]

eSIMs might be good for customers in about 10 years time, at the moment they’re not. I’m still trying to work out how I can get a real dual Sim iPhone without traveling half way round the world.

 

[Mrs. Jobs]

eSIMs might be good for customers in about 10 years time, at the moment they’re not. I’m still trying to work out how I can get a real dual Sim iPhone without traveling half way round the world.

Have someone in HK send you one?

 

[Apple_Robert]

Apple has an ongoing complaint that the Department of Justice is investigating. It is that AT&T and Verizon are attempting to make eSIMs lockable to their networks.

Apple is against this plan but cannot determine the law of applicable countries and territiories themselves.

It remains a possibility that some countries (particularly the U.S.A.) may later allow carriers to lock eSIMS in the same way that they currently lock carrier subsidised CDMA and GSM phones (with normal SIM cards). It is also possible that AT&T and Verizon and other carriers will be unsuccessful and that eSIMs will change the industry for ever and allow people to switch SIMs and carriers via a simple menu selection on the phone. For consumers eSIMs are a good thing and most new iPhones have both a normal SIM tray and an eSIM.

Those that bought from a carrier might have to worry about a lock. I don't believe a carrier can lock the XS Max Sim-free version.
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Have someone in HK send you one?

How much would something like that be?

 

[Lyn2012]

Have someone in HK send you one?

If I had a long time trusted friend living or visiting HK I would, unfortunately I don’t.

 

[AlliFlowers]

I don't believe a carrier can lock the XS Max Sim-free version.

If it's possible, AT&T will do it.

 

[pika2000]

Apple has an ongoing complaint that the Department of Justice is investigating. It is that AT&T and Verizon are attempting to make eSIMs lockable to their networks.

Apple is against this plan but cannot determine the law of applicable countries and territiories themselves.

It remains a possibility that some countries (particularly the U.S.A.) may later allow carriers to lock eSIMS in the same way that they currently lock carrier subsidised CDMA and GSM phones (with normal SIM cards). It is also possible that AT&T and Verizon and other carriers will be unsuccessful and that eSIMs will change the industry for ever and allow people to switch SIMs and carriers via a simple menu selection on the phone. For consumers eSIMs are a good thing and most new iPhones have both a normal SIM tray and an eSIM.

The only reason carriers in some countries are not locking their phones is due to regulation. As a carrier, provider locking is for your business advantage, so you will double down on it if there's no restriction. Case in point, Verizon. They only unlock their phones due to the LTE deal with the US government, and now they're back at locking their phones. Another case in point, Singapore. All phones sold in the country are unlocked, but that's due to regulation.

In short, eSIM will only be useful when provider locking is completely outlawed worldwide.

Apple, as seemingly consumer friendly as they are, actually bent over quite a bit for the carriers, in the way of carrier settings. Certain features of iOS are automatically hidden/disabled if you insert certain carrier's SIM. Eg. if you insert an AT&T SIM, even on an unlocked iPhone, the APN setting will be hidden and not user accessible.