Digital SIMs in the Philippines are gradually gaining popularity as more phones with built-in SIMs are introduced to the market. If you are the type to buy the latest versions of your phone, you will find this feature more frequently. However, given that the technology is young, you may wonder whether it’s better than the physical SIM card many are used to, or what you can even gain by switching to it.
Read the rest of this article to discover what digital SIMs really are and their pros and cons, so you can decide whether you need it now or if the switch can wait.
What is the difference between eSIM and digital SIM? Turns out, you can actually interchange the terms. An eSIM, short for embedded SIM, works the same as a traditional subscriber identity module, in that activating one in your phone will give you access to cellular services from a network provider. But an eSIM, which is aptly called a digital SIM, is also a chip built into your phone. On its own, it will not work, so you need to acquire a digital SIM from a telco and activate it.
For instance, if you buy a DITO eSIM, you will need to use the QR code provided at purchase to activate the eSIM on your phone.
When introduced to new technology, many of us tend to compare the earlier version with the current one. The same goes for digital SIMs in the Philippines. You may have asked whether the newer eSIM is better than a physical SIM, or whether you’ll make the switch at all.
To clarify, SIM cards have undergone changes even before the introduction of eSIMs (they have been shrinking progressively over the years), but this latest iteration is indeed the first time a SIM has gone digital. By digital, it means you don’t need to insert a plastic chip into a SIM tray; you only need to activate it.
But back to the question: are digital SIMs better than physical SIMs? Well, it depends. The advantages and disadvantages of eSIMs and physical SIMs depend on your device, location, usage habits, mobile data requirements, and budget. To help you decide whether an eSIM or physical SIM is more of a boon than a bane, we list the pros and cons of each type below. If you can handle the not-so-beneficial qualities of either, then that’s a sign of which to choose!
An eSIM serves as a stand-in for a dual-SIM phone, and more. When you buy a mobile phone with eSIM support, you can activate multiple SIM profiles. You can even choose eSIMs from different networks. One use case for having several profiles is separating your work and personal contacts, reinforcing work-life balance.
Note that while you can install up to seven eSIM profiles on a device, you may be able to activate only two of them at the same time. Check the phone manufacturer’s specifications, as the setup differs with the device.
An eSIM is much smaller than a physical Nano SIM and is embedded or soldered into your phone’s interior. This eliminates the need for two trays for dual-SIM phones and no SIM slot at all for iPhones (for the latter, US iPhones have even rolled out eSIM-only devices recently). The redesign provides more space for additional electronic components, enhancing your phone’s features and improving its performance.
Opting for a digital SIM means you don’t ever have to fumble again when inserting a small plastic card into your phone’s SIM tray. This advantage also means you don’t have to worry about dust collecting in your device’s interior or your SIM card getting misplaced. Activating is also simpler with an eSIM because you only have to adjust your phone settings and scan a QR code, and you’re done!
Because it’s built in, you cannot just remove your SIM from your phone, which means using another device with the same SIM profile will be tricky. It’s not like with your physical SIM card, which you can remove from one device and transfer to another.
When you need to swap phones, you will need help from your network provider to transfer your SIM profile to your new device. It’s doable, but the process is not as straightforward as simply ejecting a physical SIM card and transferring it to another phone.
Not all devices support eSIM, so if you don’t plan to buy a new device, you'll want to confirm whether your existing phone already supports eSIM. Otherwise, you will not be able to use the digital SIM. You can either settle for a physical SIM card for now or buy a current phone model that is eSIM-ready.
While eSIM support is gradually becoming available on newly manufactured phones, physical SIM card compatibility remains much more widespread. If you want to switch SIMs and do not intend to buy a new phone, you can simply buy another physical SIM card and swap it with your old chip.
Most phones today use nano SIMs, which are readily available in authorized stores and even online shops. Also, you can get the help of your network provider when buying in person — just ask if they can insert the SIM into your phone for you, like when you’re in a DITO Experience Store.
Swapping phones while using the same SIM profile is easy with a physical SIM card. You simply eject the physical chip from your phone and insert it into another device. The process requires careful handling of your devices and the SIM card to avoid damage. Still, generally, it’s more straightforward than calling your network provider to transfer your information, as is the case with an eSIM profile.
While switching profiles and networks is easier with a physical SIM card, it also comes with the risk of misplacing or losing the chip. This usually happens when you’re outdoors, and you need to switch networks to get a signal. Many travelers also experience this when they’re trying to swap their SIM card for one that works in the country they’re in. When you lose your SIM card, you risk malicious actors gaining access to your information and using it for dubious purposes.
You have probably experienced buying a SIM card, deciding to insert it yourself, and regretting it. The process is straightforward, yes, but handling a small nano SIM is challenging, not to mention anxiety-inducing: what if you accidentally break it? Worse, what if the SIM does not fit? There’s also the extra step of activating the SIM once you insert it into your phone — definitely not a process that you want to do when not at home.
After discussing the pros and cons of each SIM type, what have you decided? Does buying a prepaid digital SIM in the Philippines sound good, or does the physical SIM still win your favor? Whatever you choose, know that DITO Telecommunity offers both options. With DITO, you can access 5G networks with your data, enjoy a flexible range of load promos, and receive reward points and perks as a subscriber. You can choose from our prepaid SIM or eSIM starter packs, priced at ₱39 and ₱99, respectively.
Check out our eShop for more details on these SIMs!
You can get an eSIM in the Philippines by checking your chosen network provider’s shop, either online or in person. Online, you can buy one from the company’s page, and the QR code will be sent to you via the payment page or your email. The important part is that you receive the QR code upon payment and activate it as soon as possible. The code is usable only once, so be careful not to share it with anyone, or they might try to activate the eSIM on their phone!
If you want to convert your physical SIM card to a digital SIM, you will need to contact your network carrier. The process will likely be in person, since you’d want to surrender the physical chip to deactivate it. As for DITO eSIMs, this service is not yet available, but it will be in the future to provide greater convenience to existing subscribers.
An eSIM costs ₱50 to ₱100, depending on the network carrier. Most eSIM packs include calls, texts, and mobile data. DITO, for instance, includes 9 GB of data upon initial activation of the eSIM, plus unlimited texts to all networks, unlimited calls to DITO subscribers, and 150 minutes of calls to other networks. Sounds like a good deal!
With digital SIMs getting the spotlight in the Philippines, you may have wondered whether it’s worthwhile to make the switch or consider using an eSIM alongside your physical SIM card. The answer to such questions is not straightforward, so we outlined the pros and cons of physical and digital SIM cards. It all depends on your non-negotiable requirements and what downsides you can tolerate.
Regardless of your choice, DITO has a SIM waiting for you. Check our eShop to buy our prepaid SIM starter pack or eSIM today!