eSIM vs physical SIM — what's the difference?

One is plastic you slot in and out. The other is a chip soldered into the phone. The eSIM is smaller, activates in minutes, and lets you swap plans without a shop visit or waiting on the post.

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More eSIM Basics questions

How do I delete an eSIM from my phone? Can I keep my normal SIM active alongside the eSIM? Does my phone have to be unlocked for an eSIM? Will an eSIM work anywhere in the world? Can I use an eSIM on an iPad? How do I install an eSIM? How do eSIMs actually work? How many eSIMs can one phone hold? Does my iPhone support eSIM? What's an eSIM? Which phones work with eSIM?

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Do these eSIMs include calls and texts? Which countries are covered? When does the validity period on my eSIM start? What happens if my phone gets stolen or lost overseas? Will my eSIM work the moment I land? Which payment methods can I use?

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eSIM vs physical SIM — what's the difference?

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