Carrier What are the advantages of eSIM vs. dual physical SIM slots?

[Luba]

Apple makes iPhones with dual physical SIM slots, but why does China get that version and the rest of the world gets eSIM? Seems that the dual physical SIM is easier to use than the eSIM version. To move your main phone number to the eSIM slot you have to go to your carrier to set it up for you. I was told they will then generate a QR code and then scan it into the eSIM. The carriers aren’t letting you move your number to the eSIM slot … they want to do it.

 

[New_Mac_Smell]

eSIM's are more convenient, allowing you to quickly change or add packages when travelling. Dual SIM requires you to go to a physical store and purchase a SIM, something that can be a little tricky when abroad. The reason China has dual SIM is because it's a large market for Apple, and there's no eSIM in China. Also it was the XR and XS MAX last year, the XS was still eSIM in China, don't know for this year.

 

[Shirasaki]

I’d say dual physical sim is a better option given that you can just insert the SIM and bam, you have cellular. Easy to do and convenient enough. eSIM on the other hand, highly depends on carrier support and their incentive to promote such technology. Telstra in Australia for example, is the last big telco that still refuses to support eSIM on iPhone XS Max, even though they have added eSIM support on Apple Watch already.

 

[haruhiko]

Besides mainland China, Hong Kong also gets the version with dual physical SIMs. It will be good if you travel to a foreign country and buy a local data SIM for internet access/phone calls.

 

[Lobwedgephil]

Eventually eSim will be the way to go, Apple just needs to push carriers across the world. Currently would rather have Dual Sim, but I can see where Apple wants to go.

 

[suyashsrij28]

I’ll tell you one advantage no one has mentioned - if you lose your phone then the thief can’t access 2FA codes. If you had a physical SIM then the thief could just put the SIM in their phone and receive the codes or do anything with the SIM (at least until it’s deactivated by your carrier).

 

[stylinexpat]

In Asia places like China, Thailand and Hong Kong often have deals on prepaid data packages for traveler/tourists which you don’t get from Apple’s built in E-Sim. You normally only get 1 package to choose from and it is not the cheap one either.