Friends, nowadays, a new word is heard a lot in the world of phones – “eSIM.” Many people have a question in their minds: What is this eSIM? Is it useful to me? And will it work in my new 5G phone?” This is a very important question. So today we try to know. What is this eSIM, how does it work and which 5G phones support it, so that when you buy a new phone, you have complete information.
Why is eSIM becoming popular in India?
Friends, in the old days, there used to be a small tray to insert the SIM card in the phone, and we used to fit the plastic SIM card in it. But now technology has advanced a lot. There are many new things like wireless charging, waterproof phones and eSIM. It is gradually becoming very popular in India too.
People are getting more attracted towards it. Because one is for convenience, the other is for security. Especially when we talk about 5G phones, companies want the phones to be thin, and there should be more space inside for other parts. Therefore, this eSIM is now becoming a standard feature in high-end phones. If you are thinking of buying a new 5G phone, then it is very important to know about eSIM. So, let’s know about it in detail.
What is eSIM, and how does it work in simple words?
Let me explain clearly: eSIM means “embedded SIM.” Embedded means fixed inside the phone. Imagine, this is not a physical plastic SIM card that you put in the phone. This is a small chip fixed permanently inside the phone itself. This chip works exactly like your normal SIM card. The only difference is that you cannot take it out or put it in.
How does it work?
You have to contact your network provider (like Jio, Airtel, Vodafone Idea). They will give you a QR code or an activation code. You will scan that code with your phone (there is an option in the phone’s settings). And that’s it, your phone number and network profile will be downloaded onto that eSIM chip. The phone will immediately connect to the network. When you want to change the network, you don’t have to put in a new plastic SIM. You can just go into settings and download a new network profile if your provider supports it. This is a completely digital way to use a SIM.
Benefits of using eSIM in a 5G smartphone:
Honestly, this SIM can be very useful for us, especially with 5G phones. It has some big benefits:
- More Space in Phone: Because there is no physical SIM tray, phone makers get more space inside. They can use that space to put bigger batteries or other good features. Phones can also be made thinner.
- No SIM Swapping Hassle: Imagine you keep changing SIM cards, or you lose your SIM card? With this sim, there is no such tension. You just have to go into settings and change the profile. It’s very easy, even when travelling. You can also download another country’s network on this SIM without searching for a physical SIM. If you want hassle-free SIM management, especially when travelling abroad, eSIM is a blessing.
- Enhanced Security: A physical SIM cannot be taken out of the phone and stolen by anyone. If your phone is lost or stolen, the thief cannot take out your SIM card. It also becomes easier to track the phone. This gives an extra layer of security to your phone.
- Dual SIM Made Easy: Many 5G phones support dual SIM. You can use one physical SIM and one eSIM together. Or some phones might support two eSIMs, too. This is very convenient for those who use two numbers.
- Water Resistance Improved: When the phone has no SIM tray, manufacturers find it even easier to make the phone water resistant because they eliminate one small hole in the device.
So, this SIM technology is not just a new feature. It gives many practical benefits.
List of 5G phones in India that support eSIM in 2025:
By 2026, many 5G phones will become come in India that support eSIM. Earlier, this was only found in very expensive phones, but now it is also coming in some mid-range ones.
- Apple iPhones: iPhone XR and all models after it (iPhone 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 series) support this SIM technology in India.
- Samsung Galaxy S Series (Top Phones): All models of the Galaxy S20, S21, S22, S23, and S24 series have this SIM support.
- Samsung Galaxy Z Series (Folding Phones): All models of the Galaxy Z Fold and Z Flip series also have this SIM technology support.
- Google Pixel Phones: Pixel 3 and all models after it (Pixel 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 series) support this SIM technology in India.
- Motorola Razr Folding Phones: Motorola’s folding phones also have this SIM technology support.
- Some newer OnePlus models: Now, some new OnePlus top models also support this SIM technology.
- Select Xiaomi/Redmi/Vivo Top Phones: Very select top-end models or upcoming top phones from these brands are also expected to come with this SIM technology in 2025.
Important Note: When you buy a phone, always double-check its specifications on the company’s website to see whether it supports eSIM or not. Not all 5G phones support this SIM technology. For Indian buyers who want to switch to eSIM, checking this list is step one.
Things to check before using eSIM on your phone:
If you want to use eSIM in your new 5G phone, then keeping some things in mind is very important:
- Network Provider Support: First of all, check if your mobile network provider (Jio, Airtel, Vodafone Idea) supports eSIM activation or not. Most big providers do.
- Phone Compatibility: Make sure your phone supports eSIM. This is written in the phone’s specifications.
- Activation Process: The process to activate eSIM for each provider is a little different. In most cases, you have to talk to customer care or go to a store to get a QR code. An internet connection is needed for activation.
- Data Backup: If you are changing your phone and want to shift the old eSIM to the new phone, then understand its process properly. Sometimes, you have to delete the eSIM profile from the old phone and then activate it on the new one.
- Roaming: This is very convenient for international roaming, because you can download a new network’s plan. But check beforehand if your plan and country support eSIM roaming or not.
If you keep all these things in mind, using this SIM technology will become very easy.
Final advice – Should you go for eSIM in 2025?
So, in the end, should you go for eSIM in 2025? My simple advice is, if you are buying a new 5G phone that supports eSIM, then yes, definitely try it.
It has a lot of convenience, especially if you use two numbers or travel frequently. Security also gets a little better. And as technology moves forward, eSIM will become even more common.
If your phone does not support eSIM, or you have no problem with a physical SIM, then you don’t need to go for eSIM right now. But if you want this extra convenience and features, then it’s a good and modern option. In India, providers are also supporting it well now. So, go for it if your phone supports it and you like the idea of it.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):
Most phones that support eSIM allow you to use one physical SIM card and one eSIM at the same time. This means you can have two different numbers active on your phone, which is very convenient for many users in India.
Yes, this is very safe for daily use in India. It gives better security than a physical SIM because it cannot be taken out of the phone if your phone is lost or stolen. This makes it harder for someone to use your number wrongly. All big Indian network providers (Jio, Airtel, Vi) officially support this SIM technology.
Currently, most budget 5G phones in India (under ₹20,000-₹25,000) do not support eSIM. This is still mostly found in costly or slightly costly 5G smartphones. However, as the technology becomes more common, we might see it in more affordable phones in the coming years. Always check the phone’s full details.
To activate eSIM on your 5G phone in India, you generally need to contact your mobile network provider (Jio, Airtel, Vi). They will usually send you a QR code (by email or message) or guide you through an app. You then scan this QR code using your phone’s settings (usually under Network & Internet > SIMs/SIM manager). Make sure you have an internet connection during activation.
For network performance, there is no difference between eSIM and a physical SIM. Both connect to the same mobile network towers and give the same call quality, data speeds (including 5G network), and connection. The choice between eSIM and physical SIM is only about convenience, physical space in the phone, and security, not network quality.

i’m Sanjeet Chaudhary. The founder of IndianPublic24.com, a trusted platform for the latest smartphone news and tech updates. With years of experience in mobile technology, he brings easy-to-understand insights, honest reviews, and helpful tips to readers who want to stay updated in the fast-changing world of smartphones.
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