The latest eSIM enabled handset

The Samsung Galaxy S20 has officially touched down. And, lo and behold, it’s eSIM enabled!

It’s great to see another device with eSIM compatibility hit the market. Although Samsung’s Fold supports eSIM technology, its price point and slightly niche format meant it was never destined for mass-market appeal.

The Galaxy S20 joins devices such as Google’s Pixel, Apple’s iPhone and Motorola’s razr in embracing the benefits of eSIM technology.

eSIM—growing fast

Embedded SIM—a small chip built into a device’s circuitry—is set to replace the traditional plastic SIM card. Truphone recently predicted that 7 billion eSIMs would be active by 2024.

eSIM offers a number of advantages over the traditional SIM—it gives customers the ability to have two or more SIM profiles active simultaneously. This means personal/work and home/travelling lives can be managed on the same phone.

For device manufacturers, losing the need for a SIM slot saves valuable device space that could be used to boost specs or extend battery life, and avoids another route for liquids and dirt to get into handsets. And the potential to offer operator flexibility via handsets will provide mobile brands with a huge competitive selling point.

Network operators themselves will also be able to promote network-compatibility for key handset launches—and optimise user experience in its messaging in the new ‘open market’ to boost brand loyalty.

While the majority of existing eSIM-enabled handsets retain a SIM-card slot, Motorola’s razr—launched in December 2019—has started the transition towards eSIM-only mobiles.

eSIM for international travellers

Truphone was one of the first operators in the world to support eSIM technology when it was introduced in the iPhone—the first in the United States. It therefore became the first eSIM experience for millions of users around the world—allowing them to try the next generation in connected technology.

While many network operators were handing out eSIM QR codes in stores, Truphone was provisioning SIM profiles via a custom-built app—all digital, all over the air.

The My Truphone app provides individual plans for travellers via eSIM, connecting users via enabled devices. Customers can top up their connectivity plans via the app or Truphone’s website at any time. The app works across iPhone and Google Pixel devices.

Download the app from the Apple’s App Store or for Android via the Google Play store.

eSIM for business

For multinational organisations looking to get their business eSIM enabled, there’s no simpler handbook for walking through the process than our eSIM Buyer’s Guide.

It acts as the blueprint for embracing the new standard in SIM technology.