eSIM and iSIM set to replace physical SIM cards in phones, with gains in security and battery life

For years, people have used a small plastic SIM card in their mobile phones. Sometimes it has to be cut to size, and sometimes the tray has to be opened with a pin. That hassle is about to end. The physical SIM card is set to go, and new technologies called eSIM and iSIM will take its place.

This will change the whole experience of using a phone. Upcoming phones will not only be SIM-free but also more secure and faster than today's.

First, eSIM. It stands for Embedded SIM and is already available in many new phones. It can be found in expensive iPhone and Samsung models. There is no need to insert a separate SIM card. The manufacturer fits a small chip on the motherboard while building the phone. To change a number or a network operator, the user only has to scan a QR code. There is no need to go to a shop to get a SIM cut or replaced.

Now, iSIM. Short for Integrated SIM, it is a step ahead of eSIM and a far more advanced technology. Large companies such as Qualcomm and Thales have tested it. It does not even have the small chip. The SIM sits directly inside the phone's main processor and becomes part of it.

The biggest difference between the two is space. An eSIM needs separate room on the motherboard. Because an iSIM is inside the processor, it takes up no space at all. This will let manufacturers make phones thinner and fit larger batteries.

The second difference is battery use. An iSIM draws far less battery than an eSIM, so the phone's battery will last longer.

The third difference is use. An eSIM can work only in phones and smartwatches. Because an iSIM is so small, it could later be fitted in smartwatches, small gadgets, watches and even small IoT devices.

How will phones become more secure? This is the most important issue. These days, people's bank OTPs are stolen through SIM swapping and SIM cloning. As eSIM and iSIM are digital, it is almost impossible for hackers to clone them. Your data will be safer.

The second big benefit comes when a phone is stolen. A thief first removes the SIM from the phone and throws it away so that the phone cannot be tracked. In phones with an eSIM or iSIM, the SIM cannot be removed. The phone will therefore stay connected to the internet, and it will be much easier for the police to trace it.

On the whole, with the SIM card gone, phones will look better, the battery will last longer and, most important, they will be safer from hackers. All phones could move to this new technology within the next year or two.