The iPhone 13, a smartphone with dual eSIM devices support
Over time, eSIM resistance has slowly turned into acceptance. Apple initiated the trend in 2011 when it was granted a patent to create a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) platform that allowed network providers to place bids for rights to provide their services to Apple's customers. In 2014, Apple released the Apple SIM, its own SIM card, which was integrated into the iPad Mini 3 and iPad Air 2 tablets to allow customers to select their network operators dynamically and directly from the device.
In doing so, Apple successfully disrupted the way we use SIM cards and end customers have become aware of the advantages of freely selecting their networks.
Nowadays, although smartphone users are generally excited by their phone's camera capability, screen resolution and battery life, more and more end users are recognizing the advantage of being able to freely select your network, prompting major smartphone manufacturers to integrate the technology in their offer.
This trend is embodied by the recent arrival of the iPhone 13.
eSIM Smartphones
Apple iPhone 13, iPhone 13 Pro, iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13 Pro Max
Apple iPhone 12, 12 Pro, 12 Pro Max, 12 Mini
Apple iPhone SE (2020)
Apple iPhone 11, 11 Pro, 11 Pro Max
Apple iPhone XS, XS Max
Apple iPhone XR
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G
Samsung Galaxy S20, S20+, S20 Ultra
Samsung Galaxy Note 20 FE
Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra, Ultra 5g
Samsung Note 20+
Samsung Fold
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold2
Samsung Galaxy Fold
Google Pixel 5
Google Pixel 4, 4XL, 4a, 4a 5G
Google Pixel 3, 3XL, 3a
Google Pixel 2
Oppo Find X3 Pro
Motorola Razr 2019
Microsoft Surface Duo
Huawei P40 and P40 Pro
Nuu Mobile X5
Today, MNOs and MVNOs realize eSIM requires a change of strategy towards digital-first, to cater to the needs to exigent digital-savy customers looking for a fully digitalized and seamless experience with their operator. We've assembled all the components to create extraordinary digital journeys around eSIM for Service Providers, in our eSIM digital platform eSIM-as-a-Service. Discover more about it here.
eSIM Wearables
Wearable technologies have experienced major progresses as major companies unveil plans to develop product lines and expand current capabilities. Discover what are the current device available in the market:
Apple Watch Series 7
Apple Watch SE
Apple Watch Series 6
Apple Watch Series 5
Apple Watch Series 4
Apple Watch Series 3
Samsung Galaxy Watch4 LTE
Samsung Galaxy Watch4 Classic LTE
Samsung Galaxy Watch 3
Samsung Galaxy Watch Active2
Samsung Galaxy Watch
Samsung Gear S3 Frontier LTE
Samsung Gear S3 Classic LTE
Samsung Gear S2 3G
Samsung Gear S2 Classic 3G
Huawei Watch 3
Huawei Watch 3 Pro
Huawei Watch 2 Pro
Huawei Watch 2
Oppo Watch
Oppo Watch 3
Oppo Watch 3 Pro
TicWatch Pro 4G/LTE
TicWatch Pro 3 LTE
Nubia Alpha
Montblanc Summit 2+
Mi Watch
Xiaomi Wear 3100
Discover our article on eSIM-equipped wearables here.
eSIM Tablets & PCs
Apple iPad Pro 12.9
Apple iPad Pro 11
Apple iPad Pro 10.5
Apple iPad 10.2
Apple iPad Pro 9.7
Apple iPad Air
Apple iPad Air
Apple iPad mini 2019
Apple iPad mini 4
Apple iPad mini 3
Samsung Galaxy Book
Samsung Galaxy Book 2
Microsoft Surface Pro X
Microsoft Surface Pro 7+
Microsoft Surface Pro 5 LTE
Microsoft Surface Go 2
Microsoft Surface Go
Microsoft Surface Neo
Acer Swift 7
Acer Swift 3
Acer TravelMate P2
Acer TravelMate Spin P4
Acer TravelMate P6
Asus NovoGo TP370QL
Asus VivoBook Flip 14 TP401NA
Asus Transformer Mini T103
HP Elite x2 G2, G3
HP Envy x2
HP EliteBook G4, G5 Notebook PC
HP Probook G3, G4, G5 Notebook PC
HP Spectre Folio 13
HP Zbook G4, G5 Mobile Workstation
HP Zbook Studio G5
HP mt32 Mobile Thin Client
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Titanium Yoga 2 in 1
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 9
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Fold
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Nano
Lenovo ThinkPad X12 Detachable
Lenovo Flex 5G
Lenovo Yoga C630
Lenovo Miix 630
Lenovo Yoga 520
Lenovo Yoga 720
Dell Latitude 7210 2-in-1
Dell Latitude 9410
Dell Latitude 7310 z
Dell Latitude 7410
Dell Latitude 9510
Dell Latitude 5410
Dell Latitude 5411
Dell Latitude 5511
Mainstream adoption of eSIM technology in smarthpones is happening. The question is no longer whether it will happen, but when it will happen. Operators don't typically disclose their expectations, but there are a few execptions.
For example, Orange expects eSIM ot reach almost 100% of the Belgian market by 2030. We forecast that by 2023, more than 500 million smartphone connections will use eSIM. Hence, operators who refuse to embrace the eSIM service will miss out on this slice of the market that will represent 10% of the total market.
Over the coming years, OEMs are likely to shift their focus towards eSIM-only-devices. Once this prediction bears its fruits, operators who are lagging behind in terms of eSIM implementation will lose a part of the market share. Hence, operators who plan on waiting until 2023 or later to reconsider their plans will lag behind. Implementing eSIM and integrating it into operator business processes (especially customer-facing processes) takes time, so the journey needs to start as early as possible.