During the Apple event, the tech giant officially announced the triple commendable iPhones. Starting from the iPhone Xs to iPhone Xs Max and then the iPhone Xr, which is the cheapest and most affordable among the series.
But the handset wasn’t the only biggest announcement, others are included. Among the mobile phone functionality, was the introduction of the dual-SIM feature! It was an unprecedented feature for the company and the first for the company.
However, the so-called new Apple’s dual SIM doesn’t look like our normal everyday double SIM setup. Normally, on our phones, we do have standard, micro, and Nano-SIM card slot. But the Apple eSIM tech is quite different. So, let’s get started with everything we know about Apple eSIM tech.
How does Apple’s eSIM work?
The newly launched iPhone Xs or iPhone Xs Max now have two cellular plans, one on a nano-SIM card and the other on an eSIM. It is known as an embedded SIM card, with the electronic SIM activated on your phone, you don’t need to poke a pin through your SIM tray to interchange a physical tiny piece of plastic.
This new tech, eSIM was first seen on Apple Watch Series 3 and since then, we all knew it was coming straight to the new generations of iPhone. With eSIM, traveling internationally is much easier, it is much like dual SIM -having two SIM at once. So you won’t have to stay under the influence of one SIM.
Nigeria’s markets are quite different from and of course African markets. Where we do have a lot of dual SIM card-supported devices. Whenever one travels out of the country, you can easily change the SIM card but with eSIM, you won’t have to keep poking that tiny hole.
How to set up eSIM?
It is much easier and confidential, either you insert your nano-SIM card and set up the eSIM. Or if your carrier network supports eSIM, and you don’t have any nano-SIM, then you can easily set it up. The eSIM provided by your carrier is stored digitally in your iPhone.
However, here is how to setup eSIM tech, probably, use it as a second SIM or a single SIM:
– Go to Settings > Cellular.
– Tap Add Cellular Plan.
– Your carrier will provide you with a QR code, use your phone and scan it.
– When asked to enter a confirmation code for SIM activate, enter the number provided by your carrier
Anyways, you can easily avoid using a QR code and follow the process manually. And you can also do it via your carrier app.
– After that, you can easily label it a business or personal number.
– Set your default line as primary or secondary. One SIM for either Voice and SMS and the other for voice, SMS, Data, iMessage, and FaceTime.
– Choose a number for cellular data: Go to Settings > Cellular and tap Cellular Data and then tap the number you want to use cellular data.
– Choose a number for each contact. That means when you call one of your contacts, you don’t need to choose which number to use every time. Just:
+ Tap the contact.
+ Tap Preferred Cellular Plan.
+ Tap the number you want to use with that contact.
Note: You can store more than one eSIM in your iPhone, but you can use only one at a time. You can understand more on Apple supports page.
How many carriers support eSIM?
– T-mobile
– Magyar Telekom
– Bell
– Airtel (India)
– Reliance Jio
– Hrvatski Telekom
– Vodafone Spain
– EE
– AT&T and
– Verison Wireless
How many countries support Apple’s eSIM?
How would you feel, when you are told it is just ten countries that support this new tech? Not impressive, well, it doesn’t have to be Apple’s fault. Network carriers are reluctant to upgrade their service to fit this new tech.
1. Austria
2. Canada
3. Croatia
4. The Czech Republic
5. Germany
6. Hungary
7. India
8. Spain
9. UK, and
10. The US
But China is quite different, as Apple will bring in the latest iPhone with a normal dual-SIM tray. China Telecom and China Mobile, have introduced eSIM support in a few cities, apart from Beijing. Although US Sprint and other smaller carriers don’t offer eSIM support they have to switch over to T-mobile, AT&T, or Verison.
Nigerians would be happy to see our carriers upgrade to this latest technology. There is no current carrier network that is interested in this new tech, Airtel in India support this, I really think they can easily push it faster to Nigeria markets.
Although, there is a wide range of dual SIM card-supported phones available in the country. Few people will be like, “I’ll get the iPhone Xs, insert my nano SIM and buy a smaller phone with dual SIM support” but I’d like a single phone with dual SIM support.
