The launch of eSIM-only phones has a problem for Indian buyers

Apple’s decision to launch the eSIM-only iPhone 14 series in the US has baffled American buyers. Surprisingly, this puzzled some Indians as well, despite the presence of a physical SIM slot in the India-centric iPhone 14 series. This is because a large number of Apple users in India get their iPhones at significantly lower prices than in the US by visiting relatives. friends, family, etc. Their concerns are mostly about compatibility with Indian networks and eSIM availability in India.

Analysts believe that tech-savvy consumers who know that Indian telecom operators offer eSIM services may still turn to US-made iPhones. Others would either buy models in India, or they could look to destinations like Dubai, where iPhones are slightly more expensive than in the US, but still much cheaper than India.

“Given that US iPhones will require eSIM support from day one in India, some tech-savvy consumers may still continue to buy iPhones from there,” said Prabhu Ram, group head of industry intelligence at CyberMedia Research (CMR). “Others will be wise to buy new iPhones in India.”

“A distant home for many Indians, Dubai is likely to be the destination of choice for iPhone buyers this year as these phones are cheaper there and come with a physical SIM slot. Thus, users get their iPhone of choice (with a physical SIM) at a lower price. It’s a win-win situation for users,” Faisal Kawusa, Principal Analyst, Techarc.

Apple is a trendsetter in the global smartphone market that has been blatantly copied by other brands on many occasions. Removing the headphone jack from the iPhone, a screen notch, and removing the charging adapter are examples. Likewise, the focus on eSIM-only smartphones is expected to gain momentum now that Apple has initiated the trend.

“The launch of the eSIM-only variant of the iPhone 14 in the US shows that the winds of change are very much here, despite all the transition challenges with technology adoption at scale in the near to near term,” Ram said.

eSIM (embedded SIM) is a reprogrammable chip integrated into the smartphone. It has its advantages and disadvantages, but it is certainly better than a physical SIM. This is because the eSIM is reprogrammable and can store multiple unique identifiers. In simple words, an eSIM smartphone can store multiple SIM profiles. This allows for convenience, especially for those who carry more than one active link.

Security is another plus of eSIM. It cannot be removed and therefore cannot be misused if lost or stolen. For international travelers, eSIM makes it easy to sign up for telecom connections and activate them before arriving at your destination. However, it only works in countries with eSIMs offered by telecom operators.

In India, eSIM is available alongside the physical SIM card in premium smartphones such as Samsung Galaxy S-series, Google Pixel series and Apple iPhone. This hybrid SIM is expected to remain the combination of choice for India-centric smartphones. However, it is now likely to extend to smartphones in various price categories. Analysts believe it is time for both telecom operators and handset manufacturers to raise awareness of eSIM.

“While India’s telcos will be prepared to adapt to the potential changes that the eSIM-only future heralds, the focus will need to be on creating awareness, familiarity and trust in eSIM among consumers,” Ram said. GuudNyus