Who Invented eSIM in iPhone 16 Devices?

Invest in Apple’s latest contribution to the flagship smartphone market – the iPhone 16 – and you’ll enjoy a whole host of new features, from the A18 chipset with a 30% faster performance to the convenient Camera Control button. 

But one thing that’s stayed the same since the release of the iPhone XR is the inclusion of eSIM technology. Apple was the first phone company to embrace the eSIM, ditching a physical SIM slot in favor of a virtual network connection. 

You may be surprised to learn that Apple didn’t actually invent eSIM mobile technology. So, who did? In this article, we’ll explore the origins of the eSIM and its capabilities today, particularly within the new iPhone 16 series.

What is eSIM Technology?

An eSIM, or embedded Subscriber Identity Module Card, is a small chip that provides mobile connectivity for your phone. This device comes pre-built into the iPhone 16 and activates your network plan, including calls, texts, and wireless global connectivity (4G or 5G), without inserting a physical SIM card. 

SIM cards store personal details that confirm your identity as the iPhone’s owner, like a unique subscriber identifier number, an authentication key, and your phone number. Using a remotely programmed eSIM eliminates the need to buy a new SIM card if you’re switching carriers or upgrading your iPhone. 

We’ll cover the pros in more detail later on, but one of the eSIM’s biggest benefits is its simplicity, requiring little management if you’re traveling internationally or using two numbers (work and personal, for instance) simultaneously. 

Where Did Digital SIM Technology Come From?

eSIMs were first developed in 2016 by the Global System for Mobile Communications Association (GSMA), which set the standard for seamless mobile connection. 

All eSIM manufacturers must comply with GSMA regulations, which include standards for functionality, security, and robustness. The physical hardware for these chips was created by telecommunication companies like Qualcomm and Intel.

Although they aren’t responsible for inventing the technology, Apple helped bring eSIMs into the mainstream technology world. This began in 2018 with the iPhone XR, XS, and XS Max devices, while the first eSIM-only models came in 2022 with the iPhone 14 and all devices operating on iOS 12.1 or later – signaling a real pivotal moment for the SIM card market.

Advantages of an eSIM vs. Physical SIM Card Technology

More and more phone manufacturers are switching to eSIM only, including Samsung with their Galaxy, Z Fold, and Z Flip ranges, plus the Google Pixel range. Here are 4 reasons why Apple has now made their US iPhone 14, 15, and 16 devices completely eSIM-dependent:

1. Improved Convenience

If you’ve recently purchased an iPhone 16 or are changing mobile networks, one of the biggest benefits of an eSIM is that it can be activated almost immediately – no more waiting for a physical SIM card to arrive!

The iPhone 16 series can store 8 or more eSIM profiles, with any 2 active at the same time. This makes it easy to switch between multiple networks or cellular plans, without needing two devices to do so. Whether you’ve got both personal and business numbers or are struggling with data coverage on one network, but not the other, this feature is extremely useful.

Using an eSIM also makes traveling internationally more convenient, since you won’t need a new SIM or network plan from a local provider to activate roaming.

2. Safer

Another huge advantage is that eSIMs can’t be removed like physical SIM cards. They’re therefore harder to steal or clone, lowering the risk of theft and keeping your personal information more secure.

3. Space Efficient

Phones like the iPhone 16 without a physical SIM card slot have more room for the internal components. eSIM chips are also much smaller than these physical cards.

This leaves a lot more space for Apple to enhance the camera, chipset, and battery, or slim down the size of your iPhone 16 for a more compact, pocket-friendly handset.

4. Better for the Environment

While some contain recyclable plastics, most physical SIM cards are built from a mix of materials (like PVC and silicone). This makes them hard to recycle, meaning they often end up in landfill sites when phones are thrown away. 

Reducing the number of physical SIMs eliminates much of this waste, while also lowering the carbon emissions produced during the manufacturing and transportation processes.

How Does eSIM Work in the iPhone 16?

Today, no US iPhone 16 devices have a physical SIM card or slot. Instead, they’ve contained only an industry-standard embedded SIM since 2022, marking a major milestone in mass-market eSIM adoption. iPhone 16 devices found in other countries, including Canada, Australia, China, Japan, and the UK, are made with a nano SIM and still feature that same physical slot.

A new iPhone 16 eSIM can be activated without swapping SIM cards from your old phone or needing assistance from the network provider – simply turn the device on and follow the onscreen instructions. 

To transfer an old SIM or convert your current physical card to an eSIM, use Quick Transfer. This involves scanning a QR code provided by your carrier or using the Add eSIM option in the iPhone 16’s settings.

As we’ve mentioned, the iPhone 16 also offers dual eSIM support for easy switching between carriers, local and international roaming, phone numbers, and voice and data plans. To do this, simply:

1. Go to Settings

2. Click either the Cellular or Mobile Data option

3. Tap the number that you want to use mobile data with

Switch phone numbers before making a call by pressing the Info button next to a contact in your Favorites list and selecting the line you’d like to use.

The Future of Digital SIM Technology

The lower environmental impact and convenience of dual eSIM support for the iPhone 16 continue to offer an even more seamless way for smartphone users to stay connected.

GSMA may have invented eSIM, with Apple bringing it onto the mass market, but many carriers throughout the US and across the world now support eSIM technology. This increasing adoption includes Verizon and T-Mobile, plus manufacturers like Samsung and Google, meaning there are now almost 600 million global connections.

eSIM capabilities in consumer devices have seen an impressive 10x growth over the last 5 years, but there’s still more work to do. Will we see more devices beyond flagship smartphones (like the iPhone 16) switching to eSIM only? Share your thoughts in the comments!