iPhone 13 Pro Max Difference between 5G with an ESIM vs. physical card

[elbeborandy]

Hi guys, I'm very curious. Is there any difference when an iPhone it’s running with an eSIM instead of a physical SIM card? It’s the same 5G or not? Thanks!

 

[Speedman100]

There should be no difference.

 

[Banglazed]

I spoke to a rep about differences but there’s no discernible difference other than convenience. When it first rolled out for testing, there were some hiccups with cellular signal/speed and not receiving short codes but I believed they have improved by then. Currently using eSIM to see how it is.

 

[Speedman100]

I have been using eSIM for a couple years. With 5G, I got 3700 Mbps when testing next to the cell tower. So speed is definitely not a concern with eSIM.

 

[velocityg4]

The only difference is one is a physical card. Otherwise they're still connecting the same hardware (phone) to the same provider and radio channels. So, there shouldn't be any difference speed wise.

 

[Banglazed]

I had a few days with the eSIM but switched back to physical SIM today. With eSIM, I visited frequent locations to find out there's a difference in signal and speed.

 

[now i see it]

SIM card or eSIM is just an ID card for the phone. It’s not a transceiver. There shouldn’t be any performance difference between using the two if the physical SIM card is current.

 

[AbSoluTc]

I had a few days with the eSIM but switched back to physical SIM today. With eSIM, I visited frequent locations to find out there's a difference in signal and speed.

No there’s not. ESIM and Sim, no difference.