> SIMs were physical for a reason.

Because eSIMs had not been invented yet? You say it like it was a conscious decision…

> You can't just pick up a random unlocked phone and put a sim in it

True, but you will be able pick a random unlocked eSIM-capable phone and transfer your eSIM to it via bluetooth. I believe Apple already announced this feature coming to iPhone, all other vendors will follow. No need to contact SP anymore.

> I have been in situations where I changed SIM between phones multiple times a day.

Can I ask what the use case is? I believe this will continue to be possible with the “transfer eSIM over bluetooth” method I mentioned above.

>It's like people who oppose cash payments out of the convenience of card/app payments.

totally agree on this, laziness or the continued pursuit of convenience is the end of privacy, maybe even democracy.

>you can't as a layman register an email address or any meaningful service you depend on without a phone number

mailbox.org, posteo.de… there’s lot of email service not requiring a SIM. They even allow you to pay cash via postal service =)