It is no secret to us that Apple played a major role in reducing the size of SIM cards from the standard size to the smallest "nano" size. With the announcement of the iPhone XS and XS Max, Apple announced that these devices contain two SIM cards, one actual and the second virtual called eSIM. What is meant by this technology? Why does Apple offer two SIM cards only in China and not in other countries of the world? And does Apple really intend to cancel the physical SIM card and limit itself to the default eSIM in the near future? All of these questions and more will be answered in this article. Follow up with us.
It is known that eSIM technology is not a newborn today and it is not Apple that introduced it first. Google introduced it in its Pixel 2 device, and Samsung introduced it on its Gear S2 3G watch. Apple introduced it two years ago in the iPad Pro 9.7-inch, but this technology did not spread widely until after Apple introduced it in its Apple Watch Series 3.
ESIM technology
The eSIM, Embedded-SIM, or the embedded chip, also known as the global integrated circuit card “eUICC” short for “Embedded Universal Integrated Circuit Card” is a digital chip also called the eSIM IC or an integrated electronic circuit, which is made of silicon within the internal components of the phone. Exchangeable or removable only by professional technicians, as they are soldered directly to the motherboard as part of the manufacturing process.
A digital or virtual eSIM enables cellular connectivity without the need to use a physical SIM card that requires a card tray, a docking station, special electronic circuits "ICs" to operate and process its own operations and other capacitors, resistors and transistors that occupy space in the motherboard, all of that is replaced With one very small circuit called eSIM, it is easy to program by the communication companies, and easy to deal with by the users, so that the concerned telecom companies are provided with the serial number, or the identifier of the chip, to be programmed in a simple and fast way remotely and then start using the network.
Users can move between more than one mobile network with ease without being restricted to a specific company’s segment, and resorting to constantly switching between slides.
The eSIM is seen as the technology of the future, and the physical SIM will be dispensed with in any way to replace it with the default, given that it is easy to use. One of its advantages is that it is easy to move to another local network in another country.
This technology targets a wide range of electronic devices such as wearables, tablets and mobile phones, with the aim of providing a better cellular communication experience.
It is worth noting that the International Association of Mobile Phone Networks, symbolized by the acronym “GSMA”, in 2010 discussed the issue of replacing the SIM card with a system built into the devices, so it can be controlled and mobile networks through programs and not by changing the SIM cards from time to time. While Motorola indicated that the "eUICC" or eSIM system is directed at industrial devices, for example: they are placed in cars for emergency calling service.
Apple has not agreed with any statement prohibiting the use of UICC technology or eSIM in any consumer product. In 2012 the European Commission adopted this technology for in-car emergency calling service, known as eCall. And Apple has also integrated this technology in the Apple Watch Series 3. It was assumed that this technology is integrated into all new cars in the European Union in this year 2018 to contact the emergency immediately after an accident. And many countries are now seeking to adopt this technology extensively.
Why is Apple adopting digital eSIMs now?
And here is Apple expanding the use of that virtual chip and establishing it in the new iPhone XS devices. It is assumed that other mobile companies will follow the example of Apple and introduce in its new phones this virtual chip, and its hour will be the communications companies acquiesce and support this technology, so that the Apple devices are ready and ready for that event, and you do not have to buy a new iPhone that supports this new technology, and its time is With you the iPhone for a year, two or even three years, you are assured that your phone supports technology that will emerge after a period of time for quite some time.
Unfortunately, only ten countries currently support eSIM technology: Austria, Canada, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, India, Spain, the United Kingdom and the United States. As for the communication companies that support that chip, as Apple mentioned, they are: Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T, Bell, EE, Vodafone, Airtel, Deutsche Telekom, Truphone, GigSky and Ji, and certainly the rest of the companies will support this technology in the near future.
Why does China get dual-SIM iPhones without the rest of the world?
Although major Chinese companies support this technology, such as China Telecom and China Mobile, and support for two cities except Beijing, the iPhone devices will contain two SIM cards, so you can switch between them as you like, like many Android phones. This is due to reasons:
◉ The importance of the Chinese market, it is rare for Apple to allocate its products to certain markets. Because design standardization makes the manufacturing process efficient and fast. China is the largest market for Apple after the United States, in addition to being the main production base for iPhones and iPads in the world. Consequently, Apple must make sacrifices to access the world's largest smartphone and internet market. Where Apple achieved $ 45 billion in revenue from China in its fiscal year 2017, equivalent to 20% of total annual sales.
◉ Competition with strong companies that have weight in the Chinese market, such as Huawei and Xiaomi, which are subject to Chinese domestic trends and provide more services.
◉ James Yan, analyst at Counterpoint Research, said, “Using an eSIM would allow customers to change carriers more easily, a situation most Chinese carriers do not want. The negotiations between Apple and those companies have not ended yet, making the actual two tranches a better option.
Apple should surrender to the censorship-critical dictates of the Chinese market. Last year, for example, the Wall Street Journal reported that Chinese telecom companies had discontinued cellular connectivity on Apple's third-generation watch because it supports eSIM technology, and analysts said this makes it difficult for telecom companies to trace the identity of the device's user.
And Apple made concessions to comply with Chinese law, in 2016 Apple closed the iBooks store and iTunes Movies. Last year, Apple removed hundreds of apps from the Chinese app store, especially VPN apps that allow people to hide their locations and circumvent official efforts to block certain websites.
◉ Apple has not responded with an official statement about the reason for the existence of iPhones containing two real SIM slots in China alone.
Of course, it will be possible for you to use both types of iPhones in the Arab world.
Sources:
the verge / digitaltrends / wikipedia / st / techradar
The Chinese iPhone with two slices will have the advantage of duplicating some programs such as WhatsApp for each segment, as well as Facebook and Snap? As is the case with the Android system?
Will the Chinese iPhone with two slices have the advantage of duplicating some programs, such as WhatsApp for each slide, as well as Facebook and Snap?
How do you slice without your name how? We have it is impossible, and the fingerprint is required with the residency, and then the question here is how if it is lost, how do you replace it? It is without your name
Great Apple ..
We've been hearing about the corporate development and interest in 5G
But Apple ignored it because it is not essential ... it is an additional ...
And I thought of something that must be followed .. just as they did before.
Nothing great, nothing
The three devices do not have any real advantage that distinguishes them from other phones, but rather exploitative and bleeds into customers' pockets
Otherwise, why did not include the fast charger in the box and why the headphone jack was not included, even though the prices of the three devices are exorbitant and fancy
Peace be upon you. Wonderful news. The Chinese dual-SIM phone can be used in the Arab world. Please clarify more about the prices in China. Are there still the same problems that you talked about in a previous article titled iPhone China version we do not recommend, I mean, do we buy the Chinese iPhone or not? Please look into this. The matter is because it is important to many, and may God reward you
Will the dual-SIM device for China lack some features or have some differences from the regular iPhone other than eSim?
Hi
Inquiries please my dear brother
The device that supports two SIM cards does the two SIM cards work in the Arab world, and only allocations for Chinese companies ... I mean, if I buy an iPhone from China that supports two slices, they work on Monday?
Always God is the one who begins,
The top of the train and the wagons follow.
Great article Thank you
It is true, my brother Zoom, and the proof is the OLED screens and fast charging that Apple did not know until last year
Hahahaha
The two slices are in mobiles from XNUMX years old
I mean, Apple is nearly two decades behind
And a feature that does not advance or delay
An old feature and Google placed it from last year, Drum 😜
Does Etisalat Emirates support the eSIM card feature?
It is a great technology and I hope it will work soon, but with regard to the phone with two SIM cards, I do not prefer it as it does not work as efficiently as one chip. I can use it, but it is not my main phone even if it is from Apple
An excellent article and this technology and I bet that this technology will expand quickly and be supported by communication companies, especially with Google Fi service .. One of what I like most about this technology is that it will make it easier for all of us to move from one phone to another from one provider to another only through the settings and thus you can customize The physical chip for the Internet subscription and the electronic chip for your calls and messages .. And we will also forget the problem of network coverage because the electronic chip is connected to any tower (at least the current one in Pixel 2) .. Whoever wants to know more about this technology can see Ahmed Abu Araki on YouTube creating complete content In this regard, thank you for the great article
Thank you Yvonne Islam for the important topic that I have been waiting for almost a year since the release of the Apple Watch XNUMX
The question: What should be done by telecom companies all over the world to be able to provide this wonderful technology.
Greetings to everyone and thanks to Yvonne Islam
Not on our side, esim
We in Morocco buy slides without registering them in our name
And we have dozens of them to switch on our love
But esim Ada adopted, God forbid, we will force to record the slides
By ourselves and our welfare ends in switching slides 😡😡😡
You have been disappointed, Apple
I hope that network companies do not support this technology and force Apple to have two slots for the chip 🤲
I believed my expectations a few months ago now
And the next challenge from Apple iPhone - without a charger port, with the reliance on the wireless charger.
Note :
It is true that Apple has been suffering in the technology of fast charging and wireless, but always remember the suffering of Apple, the end of which is creativity .. !!
Thank you
The frequencies in China are completely different from the Saudi STC 3G frequencies
The 4G has one identical frequency
The 2G is identical
We are waiting for the eSIM to be officially activated and not to take the risk of buying from China at the moment
The Chinese iPhone supports all types of networks in all countries of the world
As for the price, it is the highest
There is no doubt that there is always a gap in keeping pace with the technology of mobile companies in our Arab world and the world in general because of their focus on selling air, not devices, so it needs someone to drag it like the apple and its sisters.
As for the arrival time of technology, it depends on the ability of these companies to sell the new iPhone. If it becomes a pressure threatening their sales, their support for this new technology will develop if they are interested in the first place because of slouching and pilgrimage at other times.
In the end, the chip will die, and the service provider’s switch will be like someone switching his shoes on the roadside, and this is what makes us patient with the difficult transition process for these people.
If the version of China works in all countries, do not hesitate to buy, nor care about the price, especially that it can be kept for many years.
In theory, the dual sim could work in all countries of the world.
But you have to be careful that the devices manufactured for the Chinese market come with special features in the system .. since some of the system’s features may be blocked .. and therefore it is true that the equipment will be compatible around the world .. but it may suffer from some limitations in the system designated for the Chinese market and takes into account the system of governments there. .
An approximate example is the devices that were issued to some Gulf countries that block the feature of FaceTime (when the governments were blocking these features) .. The hardware in it was identical to the global versions, but the system has limitations in blocking the FaceTime.
good greeting..
Please, iPhone Islam, clarify the point on the China version, with two slides. Will it be closed to China’s networks or will it be available to all global networks in any country?
Please clarify a satisfactory answer in this matter
As well as when when this model will be launched in China
It is most likely that it will be open, and this of course is the reason for the presence of two SIM cards to enable the user to subscribe with two Etisalat companies.
The iPhone will be available for everyone in two SIM cards:
- But the global version will include a regular chip and another "virtual" chip that is internally integrated into the device.
While the version dedicated to China, both slides are the same as the current ones.
Theoretically, you can use the Chinese version (ie, two regular chips) around the world, and there is no shutdown of the feature .. But you may suffer from some modifications to the system by virtue of it being a copy dedicated to China.
good greeting
All two segments worked in the Emirates
Yes, all people leave the iPhone in their country and buy the Chinese iPhone, but the Chinese price is not more expensive because of this feature ?!
Perhaps no one will believe me. In 2010, I was talking through the Skype application from the iPhone, so I said at the time, since Skype's voice is better than regular calls, why do not we get rid of the chip? In a different way, either the Apple system will be the same as the traditional one but without the sim, but the Google system will end the traditional companies to provide the service
Apple does not care for the satisfaction of its work, it only cares in its own interest
Etisalat in the UAE supports the iSIM for Apple Watch
What is this service?
Does this mean that I can use a virtual chip and another as usual in the new XSMax phone ???
Yes, you can use the Xs Max as any phone with two SIM cards, but the difference is that one of these two SIM cards is not removable and requires a subscription with a service provider that supports this type of virtual chip, while the other chip is a regular chip.
How about google fi
Didn't it precede Apple?
Does this mean that the iPhone is a dual SIM that works in the Arab world, not just China? ? 😍
From the written words at the end of the article, I expect that they will be used by Chinese iPhones in two slices 😅
.
[Surely it will be possible for you to use both types of iPhones in the Arab world]
You can use the version intended for the Chinese market in the Arab world, which includes two actual chips.
You can use the global version, which supports a physical chip and another built into the internal hardware (provided that your carrier supports the virtual chip feature).
good greeting