eSIM was supposed to replace SIM cards, but carriers turned it into a trap

Re:eSIM was supposed to replace SIM cards, but carriers turn... by slaw on Monday July 20, 2026 @05:28PM (#48985103)

1. Buy physical esim on AliExpress. Even the cheapest ones have 15 profiles.

2. trip.com has the lowest prices for esims.

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Re:eSIM was supposed to replace SIM cards, but carriers turn... by gruez on Monday July 20, 2026 @06:12PM (#48985529)

>1. Buy physical esim on AliExpress. Even the cheapest ones have 15 profiles.

What happens when phones go esim only, like the iPhone air already is?

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Re:eSIM was supposed to replace SIM cards, but carriers turn... by slaw on Monday July 20, 2026 @06:38PM (#48985757)

I'll buy phones with regular SIM as long as they are available. I hope for the next 10 years there will be options.

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Re:eSIM was supposed to replace SIM cards, but carriers turn... by ButlerianJihad on Monday July 20, 2026 @06:30PM (#48985688)

I'm sorry but what in bloody hell is a "physical eSIM"?

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Re:eSIM was supposed to replace SIM cards, but carriers turn... by minetest2048 on Monday July 20, 2026 @06:35PM (#48985731)

I'm also curious about this.. its a reprogrammable physical SIM using the same standard as eSIM: https://www.9esim.com/en

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Re:eSIM was supposed to replace SIM cards, but carriers turn... by dgellow on Tuesday July 21, 2026 @01:32PM (#48995478)

Oh that’s really cool

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Re:eSIM was supposed to replace SIM cards, but carriers turn... by slaw on Monday July 20, 2026 @06:35PM (#48985725)

it looks like regular sim card, but doesn't have any profiles build in. It is an adapter for phones without eSIM capability to use eSIMs.

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