I think the traditional sim tray has been around for about 10 years too long at this point. this stuff isnt rocket science, its the providers who refuse to get off their a$$ (just like with messaging).
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iPhone 14 With eSIM Only Will Likely Be Optional Model, Says Analyst
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Well, they DO make optional larger models. Sometimes they call those options “Pro” or “Max”. Either one of those optional models could be the one with no sim tray.
Maybe. All I can say is that I lived through the eSim world equivalent in the 2000s when Verizon and Spring didn’t use SIM cards and changing phones meant trips to the store to change things around. I know eSim is supposed to be “easier” but reading the trials and tribulations of people with apps not working, customer service not knowing what to do, etc. it doesn’t feel ready for prime time even still. And we’re how many years into eSim?
I put an AT&T Prepaid plan on my iPhone 13's eSim. The clerk at the AT&T Store was a little confused...but I walked him through it.
Somehow Steve Jobs just heard you and is now spinning in his grave!
I have a really simple/old question that will tell you how much I know about "cell" phones: Do you still get charged for calling someone that is, for example, on AT&T if you are on Verizon, or are those days gone? Asking for a friend. 
Apple eSIM support list in the USA doesn't have many MVNO.
Find wireless carriers and worldwide service providers that offer eSIM service on iPhone - Apple Support
An eSIM is a digital SIM that allows you to activate a mobile data plan from your network provider without having to use a physical nano-SIM. Find out which wireless carriers in your country or region offer cellular plans on an eSIM, either activated by eSIM Carrier Activation, eSIM Quick...support.apple.com
Exactly this. It doesn’t get mentioned here often if at all but outside the big three carriers there is almost no support for eSIM in the US among MVNOs like xfinity mobile or Consumer Cellular. I think Mint does now if you request it but they seem to be an outlier.
If the slot is the only difference, I find it highly unlikely they would split the product like that for cost.
If you have their physical SIM, you can get an eSIM through their app.
Account > Order replacement SIM > Get an eSIM
I've been testing them out for the past 2 months... thinking of switching to them since their prices are really good. If I end up switching, I'll request the eSIM.
You can have ability to remote wipe company data from a phone without SIM. That is an MDM function and not at all tied to SIM (e or physical).
If they want to suspend my number that can do that from their side as well - they have control over the SIM numbers. they can suspend any sim number through the carrier. From a network ops standpoint eSIM and SIM are the same thing and suspending the SIM number disables network access.
I don't see an issue with SIM swapping to allow for device flexibility. So long as network access (SIM) and data security (MDM) are enforced all is good. If I really wanted to make sure the user only used the company provided handset then you can do IMEI to SIM validation at the telco.
Not suppose to be equivalent at all. An earlier posting linked in mint mobiles outlne of how it works.
eSIM Card Plans for Dual SIM Card Phones | Mint Mobile
Switch to Mint instantly with the magic of eSIM. Learn about Mint Mobile eSIM benefits and see if your device is compatible, and we’ll show you how to set it up.
Need the Mint Mobile app on the phone (and an account at Mint mobile) , but after that the "SIM data" is provisioned electronically to the phone. But mint says there is a matter of minutes (presumably as long as can put the phone on WiFi to get a data transmission).
Carriers have to deploy the correct provisioning infrastructure ( can't guarantee they will do that right. Especially if they are dealing with subcontractors/etc. who sale/resale plans on commission. ) The part the carriers have to get over is how to authenticate the person and deal with the phone API to deposit the provisioned "SIM data " into the phone. Transmitting the data securely shouldn't be a problem if have the right "back end" equipment installed.
There are also users out there who have put in a SIM card upside-down and it doesn't work. That didn't stop sim cards from rolling out. There is almost nothing that completely bungle free by an end user proof.
Can't move until all customer service agents are not clueless. That is just doom. Always going to be storied about customer service folks who messed something up.
It is the step at the start of the process of how do you get the "eSIM data" to the correct phone/user that has to be secured. There is no generic app to do that. Apple could fix that by providing some "hand holding" and guidance of which app and which steps for a provider. It is a "smart phone" is should be able to do something 'smart'.
Visible is owned by Verizon. ( not that they get all of Verizon features right away but shouldn't have the "re-invent the wheel". )
The MNVOs that piggy back on top of different networks in different parts of the country ( or a hodge podge of acquired networks ) have a bigger hurdle to get over.
Actually, about that... Visible was from inception a 1st party Verizon prepaid brand, yes... but interestingly - since November last year, variety of other brands like TracFone, Total Wireless etc. were also bought by Verizon. So here is to hoping that this means they get their sh*t together too soon here.
if can switch SIM card to another device don't even owe or even know exists then technically that is not a two factor code. A two step code , but it isn't a secure factor.
If go to an old phone. Login to account with an cell service app and authenticate that you are correct person. Then get a new eSIM and get phone redirected to new sim code. You'd need to tell the cell service you switched phones, but it would work somewhere can get onto Internet. Want to swap phones in middle of nowhere then yeah there is a gap but not that wide of a gap in mainstream use cases.
that's likely to be a similar problem that Boost is having ( with T-mobile killing off 3G ahead of schedule). Lots of the phones are 'hooked' to the old system ( Sprint's in Boost case and smatterings of ATT for Tracphone ), but yes in the brand new , bleeding edge phone getting all of those on the Verizon backbone will uniform as soon as Verizon can work out the details. [ I thnk Tracphone was skewed toward Verizon networks , but use ATT in places where Verizon wasn't so good coverage in the past (or still isn't ) ]
If the super majority of phones on the virtual network a low end , sim only phones then the SIM card infrastructure tends to be in the drivers set of effort. If can get o a decent high percentage of iPhones ( and lastest Pixel phones) then there is a critical mass to switch over too.
I recently made the switch to an eSim here and I will never go back. So easy to set up and being able to disable SIM PIN without the fear of someone stealing your SIM is great (so updates over night don‘t leave you without cellular since your iPhone can automatically connect to cellular after restarts without a SIM PIN).
Actually wanted to go eSim ever since they added support, but the lack of dual eSim support made me hold off until the iPhone 13 line (which supports dual eSim) due to wanting to be flexible when it comes to using a second line (and not being stuck with physical only for that).
Will definitely pick the eSim only variant once it hits.
Actually wanted to go eSim ever since they added support, but the lack of dual eSim support made me hold off until the iPhone 13 line (which supports dual eSim) due to wanting to be flexible when it comes to using a second line (and not being stuck with physical only for that).
Will definitely pick the eSim only variant once it hits.
I can tell you’ve never used one. With a 6s you’d be screwed, sure. But swapping an eSIM to a new device is as easy as putting 2 phones that you’re signed in to near each other, entering the setup mode, then hitting a Yes button on screen. It’s so much easier and more convenient. And that says a lot given how easy a SIM swap is.
Why is that? Is scanning a QR code a… pun intended… foreign concept overseas? Cuz that’s all you need to do… it’s much easier.
Not suppose to be equivalent at all. An earlier posting linked in mint mobiles outlne of how it works.
eSIM Card Plans for Dual SIM Card Phones | Mint Mobile
Switch to Mint instantly with the magic of eSIM. Learn about Mint Mobile eSIM benefits and see if your device is compatible, and we’ll show you how to set it up.www.mintmobile.com
Need the Mint Mobile app on the phone (and an account at Mint mobile) , but after that the "SIM data" is provisioned electronically to the phone. But mint says there is a matter of minutes (presumably as long as can put the phone on WiFi to get a data transmission).
Carriers have to deploy the correct provisioning infrastructure ( can't guarantee they will do that right. Especially if they are dealing with subcontractors/etc. who sale/resale plans on commission. ) The part the carriers have to get over is how to authenticate the person and deal with the phone API to deposit the provisioned "SIM data " into the phone. Transmitting the data securely shouldn't be a problem if have the right "back end" equipment installed.
There are also users out there who have put in a SIM card upside-down and it doesn't work. That didn't stop sim cards from rolling out. There is almost nothing that completely bungle free by an end user proof.
Can't move until all customer service agents are not clueless. That is just doom. Always going to be storied about customer service folks who messed something up.
It is the step at the start of the process of how do you get the "eSIM data" to the correct phone/user that has to be secured. There is no generic app to do that. Apple could fix that by providing some "hand holding" and guidance of which app and which steps for a provider. It is a "smart phone" is should be able to do something 'smart'.
Those are just a few examples. I’m sure when it works it’s nice, but when it doesn’t work or you stray out of the 95% of use cases and into the weird ones it looks like a true pain in the rear.
Once again, I'd switch no problem.
But in my country only the 2 historical providers have the eSIM option, but they're notoriously awful companies, with horrible customer support, hidden fees added all the time and shady practices.
Most people have switched to smaller providers that have an immensely better user experience and these are growing fast, but still not provide an e SIM functionality (thic could change within the year though).