Exploring the Advantages and Drawbacks of eSim Technology: A Comprehensive Review

 

In 2022, the iPhone 14's release brought excitement around eSIM technology. With its promise of convenience and innovation, many tech enthusiasts were eager to adopt this new feature. In Uganda, Airtel Uganda and MTN Uganda quickly followed suit, offering eSIM services to their customers.

As an iPhone user for over five years, I was particularly excited about the prospect of having two phone numbers on one device. The eSIM technology made this dream a reality. With my iPhone 11, I could seamlessly switch between Airtel Uganda and MTN Uganda without the hassle of carrying two phones.

However, like any new technology, eSIM comes with its own set of challenges. The most significant issue I've encountered is the inability to receive calls while actively using one of the SIM cards. As soon as I'm on a call, making a call, or using a USSD code command with one SIM, the network on the other SIM drops, displaying "No Network". This means that if I'm on an Airtel call and someone tries to reach me on my MTN line, they'll be greeted with an error message.

This limitation is a major drawback compared to traditional dual-SIM phones, where both lines are active simultaneously. In a dual-SIM phone, both the caller and the receiver are notified when a call is being placed on the other line. The caller hears a message like "the number you are calling is on another line," while the receiver sees a new call pop up on their screen, allowing them to choose whether to answer or decline the new call.

Despite this limitation, I still find eSIM to be a valuable convenience, especially for those who prefer carrying a single device. However, if you rely heavily on your phone for calls and cannot afford to miss any, eSIM might not be the best choice for you. As an alternative, you can enable "Who called" notifications to see who tried to reach you while you were unavailable.

Additional Considerations

 If you frequently travel internationally, you may encounter compatibility issues with eSIM, as not all carriers support this technology globally.

 eSIM activation may require additional steps and verification compared to traditional physical SIMs.

eSIM technology is still relatively new, and it's possible that future updates could address some of the limitations mentioned above.

Overall, eSIM offers a convenient way to manage two phone numbers on a single device. However, it's important to be aware of its limitations, especially if you rely heavily on your phone for calls.

Please share your experience with eSIM in the Comments Section below.