Dec 21, 2023 · 3 min read

There are disadvantages. But they might not really matter.

The evolution of technology has brought about significant changes in the way we communicate, with one such innovation being the eSIM. You might have already read about the benefits that eSIMs bring about especially in the areas of convenience and flexibility. But, are eSIMs really all that good and without downsides? Read on as we explore some of the downsides of using eSIMs.

Not all devices are eSIM-compatible

One of the primary disadvantages of eSIMs is that you need an eSIM-compatible device; but not all devices are eSIM-compatible!

While most of the newer devices and flagship models are eSIM-compatible, if you are currently using an older device, your device might not be able to support eSIMs.

eSIM-compatibility could also depend on other factors like manufacturer and device origin. For example, while most of the newer iPhone models are eSIM-compatible, if you had purchased an iPhone from Hong Kong or China, your device might not support eSIMs.

And even if you might have purchased an eSIM-compatible device, if your local carrier does not provide eSIM support for that specific model, you will also not be able to use an eSIM.

eSIMs are not device-agnostic

eSIM stand for embedded SIM. Like its name suggests, they are essentially chips that are embedded in your phone. When you provision an eSIM plan, or more commonly known as installing an eSIM, what you are essentially doing is to download the details of your eSIM plan to your phone, similar to downloading a piece of software.

That means to say, an eSIM and the eSIM profile are associated with your device. Unlike a physical SIM card where you can simply remove the card and insert it into a new device, you can't do that with eSIMs. It is not possible for you to remove the chip from your current device and add it another device, and expect it to continue working.

Changing devices might not be straightforward

Leading from the first two points, it should not come as a surprise that if you are using an eSIM, it might not be the most straightforward to change devices.

With a physical SIM, when you are changing phones, you can simply remove the SIM card from your old phone and put it into your new phone. With an eSIM, that is not possible.

If you are using an eSIM and you need to change phones, chances are that you will need to contact your local provider to enquire how to transfer your eSIM.

While Android and iOS have eSIM transfer tools, not all carriers allow an eSIM transfer. Make sure to double check that your provider allows you to transfer your eSIM, and how you can go about doing that.

Myth-busting: these 'disadvantages' are not true!

Some people might think that eSIMs also result in other disadvantages, like using more battery or data, or slower speed. But, these are not true!

The use of eSIMs inherently does not result in slower network speeds or worse connections. It also does not drain more battery, nor does it use more data.

If security is a concern, eSIMs are also not less secure than your traditional physical SIM cards.

eSIMs are still a great option for traveling

eSIMs are not all good, and they do come with certain inconveniences as outlined above.

However, in the context of traveling, eSIMs are definitely a great option. The benefits of an eSIM during your travels will greatly outweigh its disadvantages.

In fact, most of the disadvantages of eSIMs are not relevant in the context of travel. While traveling, it is unlikely that you will be switching phones or devices throughout your trip; so you do not necessarily have to worry about the inconveniences eSIMs have around switching devices.

What you do need to check though, is that your device is eSIM-compatible so that you will be able to use an eSIM while traveling.

Get a Nomad eSIM for your next trip

Nomad offers data plans in over 165 countries, and you can be sure to find one that is suitable for your travel needs. And if you will be traveling across multiple countries, there are also regional plans available so you can stay seamlessly connected as you hop between countries. Data plans are available from as low as $1.50/GB.

If you are unsure about how much data you need for your trip, Nomad also has a Data Calculator that can help you find the plan that is most suitable for you. Also check out our blog post on data-saving tips when traveling to keep your data usage in check when traveling.

Source: https://www.getnomad.app/blog/disadvantages-of-esims