10 Myths About eSIM It's Time to Stop Believing.

Introduction

Imagine this: you land in a new country and your phone instantly connects to high-speed LTE, with no need to search for a local SIM card, awkwardly fumble with a tray pin, or decipher confusing plans in a store window. Sounds like a fantasy? For many travelers and digital nomads, this is already a reality, thanks to eSIM technology. However, despite its growing popularity, eSIM is surrounded by myths and misconceptions. It's natural to be wary of the unfamiliar. We hear from customers, "It's too complicated!", "What if I lose my phone?", "It's just an expensive toy for geeks." Believe us, most of these fears are born from a lack of knowledge. Let's break down and debunk the 10 most common myths about eSIM. You'll be surprised at how simple, secure, and beneficial this technology is for anyone who travels abroad.

Myth 1: eSIM is very complicated. Only a tech geek can figure it out.

Reality: This is completely false! The eSIM activation process is designed to be simple and takes just a few minutes. It's much easier than replacing a physical SIM card. You no longer need pins, paper clips, or nimble fingers to avoid dropping a tiny piece of plastic under your airplane seat. The entire process is done in your smartphone's settings. It typically looks like this:

1. You purchase an eSIM plan on our website.

2. You instantly receive a QR code via email.

3. You open "Settings" -> "Cellular" (on iPhone) or "Settings" -> "Connections" -> "SIM Card Manager" (on Android).

4. You select "Add eSIM" and scan the QR code with your camera.

5. You follow the simple on-screen prompts. Done! Your phone will now see two networks: your main one and the new one you bought for travel. You can easily switch between them or set the eSIM for data use and leave calls for your primary SIM. It's intuitive and straightforward, even for those who aren't tech-savvy.

Myth 2: eSIM is unreliable and could stop working at any moment.

Reality: eSIM is not some experimental technology. It's an industry standard approved by the GSMA, the global association of mobile operators. It's built into your phone at a hardware level and is just as stable as, if not more stable than, its physical counterpart. A physical SIM card has contacts that can oxidize, get dirty, or get damaged. The tray itself can break. These problems simply don't exist with an eSIM. It's a chip soldered inside your device, protected from external damage. Your connection will only drop if you leave the operator's coverage area, just like with a regular SIM. The reliability of your connection depends on the quality of your operator's network, not the type of SIM.

Myth 3: It's unsafe. My data could be stolen.

Reality: Security is one of the most important issues, and this is where eSIM excels. Firstly, your eSIM profile cannot be copied or cloned remotely. Unlike a physical SIM card, which can be removed and copied with special equipment, an eSIM is securely protected by built-in cryptographic keys. Secondly, if you lose a phone with a physical SIM, an attacker could remove it, insert it into another device, and gain access to your SMS codes for two-factor authentication (2FA). With an eSIM, this is impossible. The profile is tied to the device and cannot be transferred without your Apple ID or Google account password. This makes the theft of your digital data significantly more difficult.

Myth 4: eSIM is expensive. It's only for wealthy travelers.

Reality: This is the exact opposite of the truth! eSIM is one of the best tools for saving money while traveling. Forget about the exorbitant international roaming rates from your home operator. eSIM plan prices for travelers are transparent and known upfront. You pay a fixed amount for a data package (1 GB, 3 GB, 10 GB, etc.) that is valid for a certain number of days. This is often 5 to 10 times cheaper than activating roaming with your home operator. What's more, you save time and hassle by not having to search for a mobile store in the airport or city and try to explain what plan you need. You buy your eSIM online from home, activate it upon arrival, and start saving money immediately.

Myth 5: eSIM drains the battery quickly.

Reality: An eSIM is not a separate app that runs in the background and consumes energy. It's a chip built into the communication module. Its power consumption is negligible and virtually no different from that of a physical SIM module. Your battery drains from active use of mobile data, searching for a network in a low-signal area, or running background applications. The simple fact of using an eSIM instead of a physical card has no noticeable effect on your smartphone's battery life.

Myth 6: If I change my phone, I'll lose my eSIM plan.

Reality: This isn't entirely true. It's important to distinguish between the eSIM plan itself and the profile on the device. Yes, an eSIM profile is tied to a specific phone and cannot be physically transferred to another device like a plastic card. However, the data package you purchased is your account with the operator. If you buy an eSIM for a 10-day trip to Europe and change your phone on the fifth day, simply contact our support. We'll deactivate the old profile and send you a new QR code to activate on your new device. The key condition is that the plan must still be active. It's as simple as getting a new card if you lose your wallet.

Myth 7: eSIM is only supported by the latest iPhone models.

Reality: While eSIM technology became widely available in smartphones a few years ago, today it's supported by a huge range of devices.

• Apple: Starting with the iPhone XS, XR, and all newer models (including the SE 2nd and 3rd generations). All iPhone 14 models and newer in the US don't even have a physical SIM tray.

• Samsung: Galaxy S, Note, and Z (Fold/Flip) series starting around 2018-2019 (e.g., S20, Note 20, and newer).

• Google Pixel: All models starting with the Pixel 3 and newer.

• Other brands: Many flagship and mid-range models from Huawei, Motorola, Oppo, and others also support eSIM. Before buying, you can always check your device's compatibility on our website in a dedicated section.

Myth 8: I can only have one eSIM at a time.

Reality: One of the main advantages of eSIM is the ability to store several profiles on one device simultaneously! Modern smartphones allow you to store dozens of eSIM profiles (for example, from different operators for different trips). You can also activate two or more numbers at the same time. For example, on an iPhone, you can set up:

• A primary line for calls and SMS.

• A secondary line for mobile data. This is perfect for travelers: you keep your main SIM for important calls and texts and use a fast and cheap local eSIM plan for internet. Everything works on one phone, with no need to carry two devices or constantly swap SIM cards.

Myth 9: eSIM is for data only; you can't make calls with it.

Reality: An eSIM is a full-featured SIM card, just in a digital format. It can support all the same functions as a physical one: mobile internet, calls, and SMS. It all depends on the specific plan you purchase. Most of our travel eSIMs are focused on data packages, as this is the primary need for travelers (messengers, maps, social networks). However, there are also plans that include minutes and SMS. You just need to choose the right option when you buy. Technically, eSIM fully supports voice calls.

Myth 10: eSIM is a temporary trend that will soon disappear.

Reality: eSIM isn't a trend; it's the future of mobile communication. It's the next logical evolutionary step. Major operators worldwide are actively implementing this technology. Smartphone manufacturers are gradually getting rid of SIM card trays, freeing up space for larger batteries or other components (like in the US iPhone 14 models). The technology opens up new possibilities: smartwatches and tablets with their own independent connection, smart cities, the Internet of Things (IoT)—eSIM is an ideal, flexible, and scalable solution everywhere. It's not a "gadget" but a new global standard.

Conclusion

As you can see, most of the fears surrounding eSIM have no basis in reality. This technology was created not to complicate life but to make it simpler, more economical, and more secure. It gives you freedom and control over your connection anywhere in the world, right from your smartphone screen. Don't believe the myths. It's better to try it once. Especially if a new country, new experiences, and the need to stay connected without overpaying or extra hassle are on the horizon. Ready to experience the future of connectivity? ESIMWORLD.EU —we’ll help you find the perfect option and answer any remaining questions. Welcome to a world without borders!