[Era of 1 Phone 2 Numbers②] Can eSIM Be Used on My Phone... From Z Fold4 to iPhone XS

Introduction of Domestic eSIM System from September 1
Apple and Xiaomi Available Immediately
Samsung from Second Half Z Series
Global 2.4 Billion Devices Expected by 2025

Rendering (virtual composite) image of the 'Galaxy Z Fold 4' (tentative name) scheduled to be released by Samsung Electronics in August. Photo by IT Tipster Onrix

[Asia Economy Reporter Minyoung Cha] The eSIM (embedded Subscriber Identity Module) system, which allows activation and use without a physical SIM card, is set to begin. Although eSIM will be available from September 1, not all smartphones currently owned will be compatible. Foreign devices released domestically, such as Apple and Xiaomi, can use eSIM immediately, but Samsung Electronics Galaxy series users must switch to newly released models to use the service.

Apple supports eSIM from iPhone XS onward, Galaxy from Z Fold and Flip 4

iPhone XS

According to the telecommunications and IT industry on the 19th, Samsung Electronics plans to equip the eSIM function in the ‘Galaxy Z Fold4 and Flip4’ series, which will be unveiled at the Samsung Unpacked (new product launch) event in August this year for the domestic Galaxy series devices. Samsung has supported eSIM on about 18 overseas models since the Galaxy S20 series launched in 2020, but this is the first time it will be applied to domestic devices.

Most iPhone users can use eSIM. Since the iPhone XS model in 2018, Apple has supported both eSIM and physical SIM on 15 models regardless of domestic or overseas versions. Apple Korea’s official website and Apple stores provide instructions on how to connect eSIM. Chinese smartphone maker Xiaomi also equips eSIM on all 12 domestic models released in Korea, including the Mi series and Redmi series, allowing immediate use once the system is implemented.

Samsung Galaxy Watch4 Series

Among smart devices, smartwatches have already been able to use eSIM services through carrier-specific smart device plans. This includes Samsung Galaxy Watch series and Apple’s Apple Watch models that support LTE connectivity rather than Wi-Fi only. The iPad has also had eSIM-equipped models since the 2020 release of the ‘iPad Pro 11-inch’ model. A Samsung Electronics official explained, "Currently, LTE models account for more than one-quarter of the Galaxy Watch series."

5 hundred million eSIM-supported devices this year, 2.4 billion in five years

Xiaomi 'Redmi Note 11 Pro'

Globally, the number of smartphones equipped with eSIM is expected to continue increasing. According to the GSMA ‘Global eSIM Market Outlook Report,’ over 500 million smartphones worldwide had eSIM in 2022, and more than 2.4 billion are expected by 2025. Global market research firm Counterpoint Research predicts that by 2025, 50% of all smartphones will have eSIM.

An industry insider in the smartphone sector said, "In Korea, the eSIM market growth has been slow due to the lack of telecommunications infrastructure and insufficient demand, but we look forward to future market changes."