Esim.. what are they and is it worth it

[Deleted User]

Can someone please explain what these are as I see it mentioned more and more. 
Also what phones have them, are there any older cheaper ones? I'm sure someone said pixel and iphones have had them for a while.

ButterCheese

An eSIM, or embedded SIM, is a digital version of a traditional SIM card that is built directly into a device, allowing users to download and manage mobile plans without needing a physical card. This technology enables easier switching between carriers and offers enhanced security and convenience, especially for travelers.

ButterCheese

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/mobiles/what-is-an-esim/

DullGreyGuy

[Deleted User] said:

Can someone please explain what these are as I see it mentioned more and more. 
Also what phones have them, are there any older cheaper ones? I'm sure someone said pixel and iphones have had them for a while.

eSims are the same as a sim but are digital rather than physical, thats about it. They do however allow more interesting things to be done given they dont require companies to be posting a physical thing around. 

iPhones are amusing, in the US they now have 2 active eSIM slots and no physical, in China they have 2 physical slots and no esims and the rest of the world they have 1 and 1. The eSIM was added to iPhones in 2018 with the "Xs" range and Pixel 2 from 2017 was the first google phone. 

flaneurs_lobster

The cheapest new phones with eSIM according to easySIM, there will be cheaper higher spec phones from the refurbers.

https://www.easysim.global/blog/top-5-budget-esim-phones-in-the-uk

mvk0016

I switched to eSIM a few years ago (I'm with O2) simply because I travel a lot and I hated having to carry a second phone if I wanted to receive calls/SMS for my UK number while abroad. I've had trouble a few times while abroad where my UK bank would send an SMS to my UK number, but I hadn't brought an extra phone and I had put a local physical SIM in my phone, so I had no clue I had received the bank SMS until my card payment didn't go through and I thought of switching the SIMs to see if I had received any messages.

Now, every time I travel, I get a physical SIM in the country I travel to, and keep my O2 eSIM in "secondary" mode, i.e. to receive calls and messages but not use mobile data, and I use the local physical SIM for internet, making calls to local restaurants for bookings, etc.

Works amazingly well and it's very easy to switch from one to the other, or have them both on at the same time (if you like). Calls and SMS will come through for both, and when you try to call it will ask you which company you want to call with (if you have both SIMs enabled). 

I have an old-ish Pixel (4A)

flaneurs_lobster

mvk0016 said:

Now, every time I travel, I get a physical SIM in the country I travel to, and keep my O2 eSIM in "secondary" mode, i.e. to receive calls and messages but not use mobile data, and I use the local physical SIM for internet, making calls to local restaurants for bookings, etc.

I did exactly this for a year or so but found the hassle of obtaining physical SIMs overseas (especially those with calling included) primarily the need to produce ID and "register", bothersome. 

I guess this is rather dependent on where you travel and for how long but I've found it easier to source eSIMs for overseas use before travel and to that end have reverted my phone to a physical home SIM (having only 1 eSIM  "slot" available). 

[Deleted User]

Next question which phone,  samsung s20 or s21 or a54 or google pixel 4a 5 or 6?

Neil49

[Deleted User] said:

Next question which phone,  samsung s20 or s21 or a54 or google pixel 4a 5 or 6?

The S20 is nano sim only and you should check the versions of the other two Samsung as they can be nano sim only or nano and esim. 

flaneurs_lobster

I'm biased but my A54 is a lovely bit of kit, just been upgraded to Android 15/One UI 7, updates until mid 2028.

It's my #2 phone but if my everyday Flip went away I'd be happy to revert. 

EDIT : Re @Neil49's post above, my A54 is 2 SIM, 2 physical or one physical/1 eSIM. Model is Galaxy A54 5G SM-A546B/DS (think the DS is Dual SIM).

Exemplar

mvk0016 said:

I switched to eSIM a few years ago (I'm with O2) simply because I travel a lot and I hated having to carry a second phone if I wanted to receive calls/SMS for my UK number while abroad. I've had trouble a few times while abroad where my UK bank would send an SMS to my UK number, but I hadn't brought an extra phone and I had put a local physical SIM in my phone, so I had no clue I had received the bank SMS until my card payment didn't go through and I thought of switching the SIMs to see if I had received any messages.

Now, every time I travel, I get a physical SIM in the country I travel to, and keep my O2 eSIM in "secondary" mode, i.e. to receive calls and messages but not use mobile data, and I use the local physical SIM for internet, making calls to local restaurants for bookings, etc.

Works amazingly well and it's very easy to switch from one to the other, or have them both on at the same time (if you like). Calls and SMS will come through for both, and when you try to call it will ask you which company you want to call with (if you have both SIMs enabled). 

I have an old-ish Pixel (4A)

I do the opposite! Physical SIM for my number and ESIM for travel. I find that easier personally. I know that if I'm somewhere expensive (Maldives/ Algeria/ Cape Verde) I can just eject the physical SIM and keep it in my wallet/ phone case. I work for an IT/ Telco so have seen some horror stories regarding business SIM cards when roaming using ESIM (I swear I switched it off... yea... no you did not).