E-SIM and Dual SIM on the Apple iPhone 2018: All You Need to Know

When Apple announced last September 12 the new iPhone XS, XS Max and XR, a particular feature has captivated the imagination of international travelers and many phone owners: the dual SIM card.

If the processor is the brain of your phone, the SIM card, or the subscriber's identity module, is his soul – a tiny chip that stores your phone number and connects you to a cellular network . Essentially, that's what makes your phone your phone.

If you've ever wanted to have two phone lines on one device, the new Dual SIM Dual Standby technology from Apple could change your life. It will be much more convenient to have two phone numbers on one phone – one for business and another for personal use. In addition, it will be much easier and less expensive to use your own phone when traveling abroad.

Although the beta version of iOS 12.1 includes a crucial component of technology – eSIM's remote provisioning – Apple will not deliver it to the general population before the end of the fall. Of course, this will not be the main factor for the vast majority of people asking for a new iPhone. ($ 1,358 on Amazon Marketplace) in 2018, but the beginnings of the iPhone XS, the iPhone XS Max and the iPhone XR mark the beginning of a new era of dual SIM card phones.

We do not yet know all the details about how, when and where will the Apple dual-card function work. But given our current understanding of the implementation of technology, there are some limitations. For now, here's what we know about Apple's dual SIM – and what it means for the three new iPhones.

Note: The information presented below is everything we know now. If you buy an iPhone XS, XS Max or XR to take advantage of the dual-SIM / eSIM technology, make sure to buy an unlocked phone (see below) and inform your provider before committing to a purchase.

What does the announcement of the dual SIM card of Apple mean?

The 2018 iPhones will allow you to have two different phone numbers on the same phone. You will be able to make and receive calls and send and receive texts on one or the other line.

Why would I want a dual SIM phone?

There are two major benefits. You can have two different phone lines, for example one for business and another for personal use, without having to carry two phones. And when you travel internationally, dual SIM makes it easy to add a local plan to your phone to avoid expensive international roaming and data charges.

Lily: Why you want a dual SIM phone

So, iPhones will have both an eSIM and a plastic SIM card?

Yes. The new iPhones will have a traditional plastic SIM card, the familiar hardware-based SIM chip that identifies you to your operator network and an eSIM, the new software equivalent.

And here is the great thing: eSIM can accommodate multiple phone numbers – which you can add, delete and configure directly from your iPhone settings. In contrast, a plastic SIM card must be physically removed and substituted.

In theory, once eSIM technology is widely supported by operators in the United States and around the world, Apple could completely eliminate the plastic SIM card. For now, by offering iPhones 2018 both a plastic SIM card and an eSIM, Apple covers all the basics.

What is Dual SIM Dual Standby?

Apple's dual SIM socket is called Dual SIM Dual Standby. This means that new iPhones can handle two phone lines simultaneously – incoming calls in both lines will ring on your phone and you can easily make calls and text from any of the lines without reconfiguring them. settings SIM cards.

Note, however, that you will not be able to send and receive data on both lines simultaneously. If a line is in the process of being called, incoming calls to the other number will go to voicemail.

What is the difference between eSIM and Apple SIM?

Originally known as Apple's SIM, the first version of Apple's software SIM card appeared on the LTE-compatible iPad and Apple Watch Series 3. Analysts believe that the core technology is the same, but that iOS 12 can make improvements to the user interface. .

Can I add lines from different operators?

Yes. Apple says you can add lines from two different carriers – if your iPhone is unlocked. And that's the major catch. If your phone is not unlocked, both plans must come from the same operator. And, if a CDMA operator – such as Verizon, Sprint, US Cellular, Boost and Virgin – provides your first SIM card, your second SIM card will not support CDMA technology.

Lily: Unlocked Phones vs. Locked Phones

Can I use eSIM on a locked iPhone?

When you buy an iPhone directly from Apple, online or at an Apple Store, it is unlocked – which means it can be configured and enabled on any operator's network (eg, AT & T, Verizon, Sprint). A Genius inserts an AT & T SIM card, for example, activates your phone on the AT & T network, and you're ready for shopping.

But once a phone is locked, that's locked. As my colleague Maggie Reardon explains, "A locked phone contains software code that prevents you from using it on another network. An unlocked phone does not have the software locked or someone can get a code that unlocks. once the device is unlocked, you can take out the SIM card and install another SIM card and get service. "Most operators require that you fully pay for your phone before unlocking it, and other restrictions may apply. (The AT & T Unlock Portal provides a checklist of requirements.) to unlock your phone and switch to another operator.)

An unlocked phone with a plastic SIM card requires a new plastic SIM card to be able to switch to a new carrier. An eSIM, meanwhile, can accommodate multiple SIM profiles from multiple operators. Until now, eSIM has not received much support from operators, who are naturally reluctant to facilitate the activation of the service of another operator by customers.

When will Apple launch its eSIM feature?

Apple will activate the eSIM feature in the iOS 12.1 update, currently in beta. US carriers will need to provide a QR code before they can activate a line using the eSIM, which will likely coincide with the public release of iOS 12.1. According to the German site iPhone-Ticker.de (reported by MacRumors), some users of Deutsche Telekom have already used eSIM to add a second line to an iPhone.

How to configure eSIM on the new iPhone?

Owners of a 2018 iPhone will be able to access the eSIM via the iPhone settings. According to Apple Vice President Phil Schiller, you will be able to use your phone's camera to scan a carrier QR code, which will trigger the activation process of a second line. Then iOS will allow you to select a default line for call and messaging, choose a label for each line, and so on.

Apple has listed detailed instructions on configuring eSIM on its support site.

Can an eSIM be overwritten?

An eSIM can be overwritten and support a phone plan of any operator supporting the technology.

Which carriers support eSIM technology?

Apple says eSIM operates in 16 countries; In the United States, AT & T, T-Mobile and Verizon currently support this technology. (Sprint spokesperson CNET assured Internationally, participating carriers include Truphone, Bell, EE, GigSky, Vodafone, Jio, Airtel and Deutsche Telekom.

At the September 12 opening conference, Apple Vice President Phil Schiller said more carriers would provide support throughout the fall and during the summer. 39 next year.

Are there any other phones with dual-SIM technology? And Google Pixel 2 does not have an eSIM?

There are many phones that can accommodate two SIM cards, although most are not available in the US, but only a few of them support the SIM. Google Pixel 2 has an eSIM, but it is primarily intended for use with Google's Project Fi cellular service.

Do I need to get approval from my main operator to add a second phone number?

No, you do not need approval or permission to add a second phone number. In fact, the main advantage of eSIM is that you do not even need to go to a store to activate this second line – everything can be done remotely.

Why is eSIM not working in China?

Apple has announced a special edition of the new iPhones for China, which will feature two plastic SIM card slots instead of eSIM technology. According to Neil Shah, who covers mobile technology for Counterpoint Research, dual-SIM technology is popular in China, but very few companies have supported eSIM technology.

Will we see more eSIM phones in the United States?

Probably. After all, Apple often defines trends. Will Stofega, who covers mobile phones for IDC, says operators are wary of the ISM, fearing that this will lead customers to switch from one plan to the next. But he points out that a new international standard set in June 2016 could pave the way for greater adoption of the MIS in the United States and abroad, especially if operators carry out all of the advantages of selling and providing telephones remotely. done manually in the stores, until now.

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