Today, Telstra announced that it will offer eSIM-compatible packages starting Friday, September 20, allowing customers who purchase the latest iPhone 11 devices released that day to forgo the physical SIM card.
Optus and Vodafone already adopted the technology earlier this year, allowing any compatible device to use its eSIM (Integrated Subscriber Identity Module) instead of the standard plastic card you need to insert.
It also allows users with dual SIM and eSIM devices to activate two services simultaneously. This can be useful if you have to switch from one number to another for business or personal use, for example, or when you are traveling abroad and using an international SIM card.
However, the world of smartphones does not only integrate eSIM technology: a wide range of tablets, 2-in-1 cards, laptops and even LTE compatible with smart watches have been launched with this new technology, and the list of compatible devices. it widens exponentially.
While the list of supported devices is quite long at this stage, Australian carriers have yet to fully open support for all devices. The Samsung Galaxy Watch and Apple Watch Series 3, 4, and 5 should be compatible with Optus, Telstra, and Vodafone.
The same goes for the upcoming iPhone 11 range of phones, as well as last year's iPhone XR, XS, and XS Max. Unfortunately, Google's Pixel 2 and 3 ranges currently only use their eSIM features in the United States, where Project Fi is active.
When in doubt, check your device manufacturer's website for a full list of specifications and double-check with your service provider. In the coming months, a small eSIM logo should appear on Optus, Telstra and Vodafone phone lists as the technology becomes more ubiquitous.