an eSIM-exclusive smartphone following the observation of friends or family experiencing quicker mobile internet speeds on the latest eSIM-exclusive devices should still evaluate new phones equipped with physical SIM cards. The capability of a new device to provide a quicker, more dependable 5G experience compared to an older version is unrelated to the type of SIM card linking that device to the network. It is not the eSIM that results in enhanced download speeds, but rather, the diverse internal and external elements of a modern phone, including the modem and antennas. It is merely coincidental that a brand-new phone supports both faster 5G internet connectivity and eSIM functionality. The two technologies have progressed independently in recent years, which may have fostered a misconception that eSIM-exclusive devices can deliver faster or more dependable mobile internet.
A number of advancements from smartphone manufacturers and carriers have fueled that misunderstanding. To begin with, mobile service providers have been enhancing their networks over the years, boosting internet speeds as they broadened their 5G coverage. Nevertheless, mobile internet can be influenced by factors such as coverage, signal strength, and network congestion. Independently, smartphone manufacturers have been upgrading the 5G modems in their devices, with high-end models featuring pricier chips that can provide superior internet experiences (greater speed, enhanced reception, or more stable connections). Concurrently, they have incorporated eSIM functionality into their devices as a connectivity alternative, which enabled them to repurpose internal space to augment battery capacity and develop thinner and lighter phones.