domeet webmaster

Familiar physical SIM card, card slot and card pin

However, SIM cards have many disadvantages.

1. Take up valuable space inside the smart device

The internal design integration of smart devices is getting higher and higher. In order to plug in larger camera modules and batteries, various mobile phone manufacturers try their best to “eat dry and squeeze out” every bit of space in the mobile phone. In order to save space, we cut the original SIM card to become smaller and smaller.

The perspective of the internal structure of iPhone 11 series mobile phones shows that the internal hardware integration and space utilization are quite high. Image source: iFixit

2. Inconvenient replacement and storage

A few days ago, I had to change a SIM card for my mobile phone. After borrowing it all around, my colleagues couldn’t find the pin. Finally, I rummaged through several cell phone boxes in the warehouse before finding a pin.

When I was about to change a new SIM card, I found that the new SIM on the desk fell on the floor under the desk. It might have been accidentally removed when I got up.

The SIM card is not only troublesome to replace, but also easy to lose.

3. Increase the production cost of smart devices

In order to insert the SIM card into the body, the smart device has to make a slot to place the card tray, which invisibly increases the design cost, the visual effect is not beautiful, and even there are additional risks-due to process design issues, Some mobile phone users mistakenly believe that the microphone hole is the SIM card holder hole, and the microphone is broken.

The SIM card slot on the side of iPhone 12 Pro. Picture from: Apple’s official website

4. Insufficient flexibility

Currently, the application and cancellation of SIM, as well as the corresponding package processing, are mostlyThe steps under different scenarios are more cumbersome, and the rights of users are not well represented.

Even under the premise that the country clearly promotes the number portability transfer service, many users still find that some operators have set up some obstacles before and after the number portability transfer due to different SIM card formats, which affects the actual experience.

Because of seeing the pain points of users, some software manufacturers also want to use eSIM cards to enter the office and develop telecom operations smartly.

Therefore, the SIM card has almost become a “public enemy”. The factory doesn’t like it, the hardware manufacturer doesn’t like it, the user doesn’t like it, and even some software manufacturers and communication equipment manufacturers don’t like it. The birth of the eSIM card can be said to be well received.

3. eSIM has many advantages and is environmentally friendly

eSIM theoretically basically solves the shortcomings of the SIM card.

1. It is smaller, further saving space.

Take Infineon’s 5G eSIM solution OC1110 as an example, the package size of eSIM is about 96% smaller than that of Nano SIM card.

In the future development of eSIM card, there will also be eSIM SIP form and eSIM SOC form. The eSIM is concentrated in the baseband, and the volume will be further reduced.

Infineon has launched the world’s first industrial-grade eSIM card with micro-packages. Picture from: Electronic Enthusiast Network

2. It is integrated inside the fuselage, so there is no problem of replacement and storage.

It is foreseeable that as long as eSIM cards are used on a large scale, card pins and card slots will become a thing of the past, and the card cutting business will disappear.

3. The process design cost of the smart device is further reduced, and there is no need to slot the tray, the integration level is higher, and it is also beneficial to waterproof and dustproof.

For example, the cellular version of Apple Watch does not have a physical SIM card slot, and its waterproof performance greatly exceeds that of the iPhone, reaching a maximum water resistance of 50 meters. If a physical SIM card design is adopted, whether such a high level of waterproof can be achieved is a big question mark.

The Apple Watch without a physical SIM card slot is waterproof to 50 meters. Picture from: Apple’s official website

4. In theory, the eSIM card can switch operators and packages flexibly, but whether it can be achieved in the end depends on the relevant national regulations and the openness of operators.

Currently, a more feasible solution is that when we enter other countries or regions with a mobile phone with eSIM card function, we no longer need to find a local operator to open a physical SIM card, and we can apply directly on the mobile phone. When you leave, you can disable or log out on your phone.

In addition, the promotion of eSIM cards is also conducive to environmental protection. Physical SIM cards and their packaging need to consume plastic, metal, and paper. One eSIM card is equivalent to countless cards before, which reduces a lot of resource consumption.

4. Among 5G and the Internet of Things, eSIM still has a lot of imagination

At present, everyone is concerned about the “convenience problem” brought by eSIM. Can you let yourself be more free to change telecom packages or operators.

If we look further, we will find that the various advantages of eSIM cards make it more applicable, wearable devices, smart home appliances, automobiles and even industrial Internet of Things can have its presence. .

Smart watches such as Apple Watch, Huawei Watch, OPPO Watch, etc., some models are equipped with eSIM cards, and they are also praised by users in the pilot use of eSIM. The frequency of users carrying or using mobile phones when going out is reduced, which is very important for large-screen mobile phone users. It’s a lot more convenient.

When the smart wearable device is connected to the Internet (such as connecting to Bluetooth, WiFi or opening eSIM), it can do some operations on the phone, reducing the need to pick up the phone Frequency. Picture from: Apple’s official website

In terms of automobiles, driverless driving is one of the promising directions for people. With eSIM and 5G, the reliability of unmanned driving will be more guaranteed. The eSIM card is integrated in the car. In case of an emergency such as a car accident, the possibility of the eSIM loosening and falling off is theoretically lower than that of a physical SIM card. The eSIM does not need to be replaced manually as the communication standard or service provider changes like a physical SIM card, only software updates are required.

In the aspect of industrial Internet, eSIM can play a very important role. For example, street lights, traffic lights, water and electricity meters, etc. also have networking requirements.The cost of wiring to connect to the network is too high, the stability of the WiFi connection is difficult to guarantee, the design of the physical SIM card slot is also difficult to reliably waterproof under the wind and sun, and subsequent maintenance is also a big problem.

The eSIM card can solve these problems theoretically. At the same time, after the product is damaged, it can be gradually replaced with a product with eSIM function after the product is damaged. The network function is realized, and the subsequent maintenance cost is relatively low.

Take water and electricity meters as an example. It is almost difficult to read water meters manually in the future. The water and electricity meters will automatically upload data when they are due to remind users to pay on their mobile phones.

At present, most of the meter readings require manpower statistics, especially the rural meter statistics work is very hard. Picture from: Yibin News Net

There are also traffic lights. With eSIM and 5G, the control of traffic lights will be more intelligent after 5G linkage. Knowing how to schedule is the best solution, reducing unnecessary waiting time for parking.

Because the traffic lights have networking and computing capabilities, their dependence on physical pipelines will be reduced, and pipeline burial can be simplified to a certain extent. In scenarios where pipelines cannot be buried, such as mobile traffic lights temporarily set during holidays and holidays, if they have eSIM functions, they will not be so “rigid” as they are now, and only one traffic light switching time can be fixed.

5. Whether eSIM is good or not, the promotion is not optimistic

At present, it is still difficult to activate eSIM service for mobile phones in China, and it can only be activated on specific conditions and specific devices.

For example, smart watches with eSIM cards, mobile phones with eSIM cards used by overseas students returning home, etc. can open eSIM. The scale of the business is similar to that of ordinary mobile phones. SThe IM card business is much smaller than that.

China Mobile’s No. 1 dual-terminal eSIM service. Picture from: China Mobile official website

Take the cellular version of Apple Watch to open the No.1 dual-terminal service as an example. Users only need to enter the Watch app on the iPhone, follow the operator’s prompts, and then they can activate the service without going to the business hall. The monthly fee is generally 10 yuan/month. At the same time, there are many restrictions, such as non-pilot or unopened cities that cannot be opened, and the mobile phone must have a SIM card of the same operator before it can be opened.

From the launch of the pilot function to the official opening now, after about two years, the progress of eSIM card promotion can be said to be a bit slow. Regarding the reasons for the slow promotion, there is no official statement so far. There are many statements on the Internet. We have sorted out the main points.

1. Cost factors.

Some people believe that the obvious cost advantage of eSIM does not mean simply switching to eSIM. A lot of work is needed in the internal design of smart devices, adjustment of the industrial chain, and support from operators. It is the cost, and it is not a small threshold. It requires all industries to work together.

The mobile phone still relies on the existence of the SIM card, the card slot and the card pin. If the SIM card is changed, there are many chain changes. Picture from: @brett_jordan (Unsplash)

2. Operator factors.

Some people believe that once the potential of eSIM is fully opened up, users can freely choose and switch between operators and telecom packages. This is unwilling for operators to see, so they have been reluctant to advance.

However, judging from the three domestic operators’ proactive attempts to develop eSIM services in recent years, this statement is untenable. If operators are really afraid that eSIM will affect their status, they can start from other aspects such as handling review rules, and do not have to strive for pilot eSIM services. Of course, some people think that operators are “passively” conducting business.

3. Technical factors.

Some people believe that in the past few years, eSIM still had many technical difficulties that could not be overcome. eSIM can repeatedly activate and deregister packages, and how to accurately identify the user’s true identity is a difficult problem. If eSIM is cracked by criminals and used for spam promotion or fraud, there will be a certain degree of difficulty in supervision. Now the eSIM card has been comprehensively promoted after several years of pilot projects and technological upgrading, and the problem has been overcome, and it has been recognized by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology.

6. Conceptual changes brought by eSIM

Compared with the SIM card, eSIM is smaller and easier to integrate into small devices. In theory, it can make more items “smart”, which will have a very large impact on the user’s mind, which is possible to a certain extent Further dissolve the “central” status of smart phones.

The decentralization of mobile phones is an inevitable trend and a good trend.

Take the iPhone as an example. Its health record and communication functions have been stripped away by the Apple Watch with eSIM to a certain extent, and its audio-visual experience has been stripped away by AirPods to a certain extent. (The wired headset is only detachableIn essence, it is still part of the mobile phone, and the Bluetooth headset is an independent individual), its visual output may be partly stripped off by smart glasses in the future, etc. As long as these peripheral devices can be built-in eSIM to exist independently and there is no artificial barrier to use, through 5G technology, most of the calculation and processing are given to the cloud server, and the frequency of mobile phone use will be greatly reduced.

eSIM is getting smaller and smaller and more integrated, paving the way for the Internet of Everything, and networking and computing capabilities are no longer exclusive to smartphones . Picture from: @Chuncun（知识）

The reason why this is a good trend is that if the mobile phone is the center, there will be limitations in terms of smart experience. While enjoying the advantages of a certain mobile phone, one can only passively accept the shortcomings of it and its peripheral devices. If the functions of a smartphone are dispersed by devices with eSIM functions and become several independent demand carriers, the user’s choice will be greatly improved, and the comprehensive experience will be much better, and it will not be affected by a single product ecosystem.” Bundled”.

Perhaps in the near future, more and more people will go out without their mobile phones, and they can travel lightly with brand A smart headphones, brand B smart watches, brand C smart glasses, and brand D smart bicycles.

In a few decades, maybe the child sees an “old thing” that has no Internet function, and may ask a question like this: Is it broken?

This article is from WeChat official account: Love range of children (ID: ifanr) , Author: Zhu Hai