eSIM in Switzerland: key info about the digital SIM card
Many current smartphones are eSIM-compatible. Soon the technology will be the new standard. Comparis answers important questions about eSIM, and shows in which cases the successor to the SIM card is worthwhile.
25.07.2023
iStock/lechatnoir
1. What is an eSIM?
The eSIM (or “embedded SIM”) is the next generation of SIM technology. It eliminates the need for physical cards. Unlike a traditional SIM card, an eSIM is directly installed as a chip in devices such as smartphones, tablets, laptops and smartwatches during production.
2. What are the requirements for using an eSIM?
An eSIM card can only be activated on an eSIM-compatible device. At the same time, your mobile operator of choice must offer eSIM profiles. eSIM is not yet standard – but this is likely to change in the foreseeable future. For example, in the US, the iPhone 14 will only come with eSIM.
You should find out whether an eSIM is embedded in a device before buying. Digital Republic provides a list of eSIM-compatible devices.
3. What are the pros and cons of eSIM?
The main advantage of eSIM is its convenience: when switching providers, there’s no need to remove or exchange an eSIM, as with a traditional SIM card. That means no more trying to get the old SIM card out, and the new one in.
In addition, eSIM is good for the environment: it uses less plastic and eliminates the need for postal delivery. The biggest disadvantage? The new SIM card is not yet very widespread.
eSIM will completely replace the traditional plastic SIM card in the medium term. The range of possible applications of the digital SIM are more diverse, and you can switch to a new device without any fiddly card swaps. However, not all providers support eSIM at the moment. Until it can be activated anywhere and everywhere around the world, we need to be able to keep using physical SIM cards in our mobile phones.
Jean-Claude Frick, Comparis digital expert
4. Does an eSIM make roaming abroad easier?
When abroad, local mobile phone tariffs are often cheaper than roaming packages from Swiss mobile operators. In the past, you had to buy a physical SIM card in your destination in order to benefit from this. With an eSIM, you can do it from home. The uncomplicated activation process makes an eSIM a practical solution for your holidays.
eSIM allows you to access a wider choice of foreign providers and tariffs, making it easier to keep costs down. For example, you can find international prepaid eSIM deals on the Airalo platform.
Swiss providers and the eSIM app compared
| Swisscom | Sunrise UPC | Salt | Wingo | Airalo eSIM app | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Example offer: Greece* |
Data Travel 1 GB CHF 14.90 |
Travel Data 1 GB CHF 14.90 |
Europe-Zone Data Pack 1.5 GB CHF 24.95 |
Data Travel 1 GB CHF 15.90 |
Meraki Mobile 1 GB $5 |
| Example offer: Serbia* |
Data Travel 1 GB CHF 19.90 |
Travel Data 2 GB CHF 39.90 |
World-Zone Data Pack 1 GB CHF 149.95 |
Data Travel 1 GB CHF 21.90 |
Serbia Mobile 1 GB $5 |
* Last update: July 2023
Are you looking for a cheap prepaid plan?
5. Can I use multiple mobile phone numbers with an eSIM?
If you want to have your business number and your private number on one device, you can use the dual SIM mode. With eSIM, there’s no need for a second physical SIM card. You simply download a new eSIM profile directly to your mobile phone. Depending on the provider, this takes just a few minutes.
Important: many devices still require a physical SIM card to use the dual SIM mode. Some smartphones only allow one eSIM profile to be active at a time.
Convenient for employers and employees: a business number eSIM profile can be quickly activated when someone starts a new job, and quickly deactivated again when they leave – with no need to send SIM cards back and forth by post.
Are you looking for a low-cost mobile plan?
6. How does switching providers work with an eSIM?
An existing eSIM profile can be deactivated within just a few minutes and replaced by another profile from a second Swiss provider or international provider. Important: make sure you’re aware of your current provider’s cancellation period.
Depending on the device, you can also upload multiple eSIM profiles from different providers. In most cases, you can easily activate and deactivate an eSIM yourself via your settings or your provider’s customer portal.
How do I activate an eSIM on my Samsung phone?
Here is a step-by-step guide for a Samsung Galaxy S20, for example:
Under “Settings”, select “Connections”.
“SIM card manager”.
“Add mobile plan”.
Select “Add using QR code” or “Add using activation code” and choose “Connect”.
Confirm that you want to add a new plan by selecting “Add”.
How do I activate an eSIM on my iPhone?
Here is a step-by-step guide for activation via QR code for an iPhone 12, for example:
Open the camera app and scan the QR code.
When the message “Plan detected” appears, tap on it.
Tap on “Continue”.
“Add data plan”.
When prompted to enter a confirmation code, enter the number provided by your mobile operator.
You can find more activation options for iPhone here.
7. Can I use an eSIM on my smartwatch?
With the eSIM on the smartwatch, you can make calls and surf the web on the go – without having to carry your smartphone around with you. Availability depends on the provider:
| eSIM for smartphone available* | eSIM for smartwatch available* | |
|---|---|---|
| Aldi Mobile | No | No |
| Coop Mobile | Yes | Yes |
| Das Abo | No | No |
| Digital Republic | Yes | Yes |
| M-Budget | Yes | Yes |
| Quickline | No | No |
| Salt | Yes | No |
| Sunrise | Yes | Yes |
| Swisscom | Yes | Yes |
| Wingo | Yes | Yes |
| Yallo Swype | Yes | Yes |
* Last update: July 2023
8. How much does it cost to activate an eSIM?
The SIM card activation fee depends on the mobile provider. In terms of activation costs, it makes no difference whether you use a normal SIM card or an eSIM card when you get a new mobile contract.
If you already have a SIM card from your preferred provider and would like to change to eSIM, switching is often free of charge.
The eSIM is embedded directly in your device. In order to be activated, the chip must be provided with a personal eSIM profile. This profile contains all the information you need to use your eSIM. You can obtain this eSIM profile from a Swiss or international eSIM provider of your choice. It is usually saved to your eSIM by scanning a QR code.
An eSIM contains the same data as a physical SIM card: information about the home network, address book contacts and the user’s mobile phone number. For data security reasons, the eSIM profile is encrypted during installation. This means that only your personal device can decrypt and install the eSIM profile assigned to it.
You can download and store several eSIM profiles on your eSIM. How many profiles you can store on your eSIM depends on your device. Check the specifications of your smartphone, tablet or smartwatch before purchasing multiple eSIM profiles.
This article was first published on 03.08.2022
