Buying an eSIM only phone: what actually changes
Apple’s iPhone Air already ships without a SIM tray anywhere in the world, and reports suggest more models will follow in the UK before long. If your next phone turns out to be an eSIM only phone, the buying process looks the same on the surface, but a few things behind the scenes work differently.
None of it is complicated. It’s just new enough that most people haven’t had to think about it yet, especially if you’re used to popping a SIM card out of an old phone and into a new one.
What is an eSIM only phone, exactly?
It’s a phone with no physical SIM slot at all. Instead, your network profile lives on a chip built into the device, activated by scanning a QR code or tapping a button in an app. You can usually still run more than one number on it, sometimes several, just without any plastic involved.
Most flagship phones from the last few years already support eSIM alongside a physical tray, and if you want the full rundown on how the technology itself works, our eSIM guide covers that separately. An eSIM only phone simply removes the tray option entirely, so eSIM becomes the only way in.
Before you buy an eSIM only phone
- Check your current network actively supports eSIM, not just newer flagship handsets.
- Ask whether your network’s app can transfer an eSIM to a new phone without a shop visit.
- If you use a small or budget network, confirm eSIM support before you commit to buying.
- Back up anything stored locally on your old SIM, like saved contacts, before switching over.
Does every UK network actually support it?
Mostly, yes, among the big networks. EE, Vodafone, O2 and Three all support eSIM on pay monthly plans, and most virtual networks that run on their infrastructure have caught up too. A handful of smaller budget MVNOs are still behind, so it’s worth checking before you assume.
Coverage isn’t really the issue with an eSIM only phone. Your signal comes from the same masts either way. The thing to check is whether your specific provider can issue and activate an eSIM profile without a shop visit, since a few smaller providers still route this through customer service rather than letting you do it yourself in the app.
Roo’s take: think of it like checking a venue takes contactless before you turn up with no cash. Most places do now, but the one that doesn’t will catch you out.
What happens when you switch networks?
Switching still works through the same PAC process, regulated by Ofcom, that protects you on a physical SIM. Text PAC to 65075, get your code, hand it to the new network, and your number moves across, usually within one working day.
The difference is what happens next. Instead of a SIM card landing through the post, your new network sends a QR code or an activation link, and your phone builds the new eSIM profile itself. It typically takes a few minutes rather than a few days, though a small number of providers still prefer to talk you through it by phone the first time.
What if you’re buying second hand?
Worth being a bit more careful here. An eSIM only phone has no physical slot to inspect, so you can’t tell at a glance whether it’s been reported lost or blacklisted the way you might eye up a SIM tray for damage.
Run an IMEI check before you hand over any money, the same as you would for any used phone, and ask the seller to remove their own eSIM profile and reset the device before collection. A phone that still carries someone else’s active eSIM won’t work properly on your account until that’s sorted.
Is an eSIM only phone actually worth choosing?
For most people, yes, it’s a fairly small change either way. You lose the ability to physically swap a SIM between devices in an emergency, which matters mainly to heavy travellers who like carrying a spare handset with a local SIM dropped in. It’s rarely a dealbreaker on its own, more something to be aware of before you commit to a specific model.
In exchange, you get a phone with one less moving part, no tray to lose, and a switch that finishes in minutes rather than waiting for post. For anyone who already travels with a second eSIM for data abroad, an eSIM only phone changes almost nothing about how you use it day to day.
Frequently asked questions about eSIM only phones
- Can I still use two numbers on an eSIM only phone?
- Usually yes. Most eSIM only phones support multiple eSIM profiles, so you can keep a personal and a work number, or add a travel eSIM, without any physical card.
- What happens to my eSIM if I lose my phone?
- Contact your network as you would for a lost physical SIM. They can suspend the number and issue a new eSIM profile once you have a replacement device.
- Do I need WiFi to activate an eSIM only phone?
- You’ll usually need an internet connection, either WFi or another SIM’s data, to scan the activation QR code and download the new profile.
- Will an eSIM only phone work if I travel abroad a lot?
- Generally yes, and it can make adding a local travel eSIM easier than before, though very frequent SIM swappers may miss the flexibility of a physical card.
- Is switching networks slower or faster with an eSIM only phone?
- Usually faster. Once you have your PAC code, activation is typically a QR code scan rather than waiting for a SIM to arrive in the post.
An eSIM only phone isn’t really a compromise, it’s mostly a convenience once your network’s on board. The one job worth doing before you buy is a two minute check that your provider, or the one you’re switching to, actually supports it properly. If you’re weighing up buying used to save money, our guide on whether refurbished phones are worth it is a good place to start, and our IMEI check guide covers how to avoid buying a blacklisted handset.
