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Comment by zdc1 | Hacker News Reader

I've been using an eSim on my iPhone and it's been wonderful because:

1. migrating between iPhones also transfers the eSim

2. if I get a tourist sim card at an airport, I don't have to worry about taking out or losing my main sim

3. the ability to have multiple sims is also ideal: I currently have phone plans in AU and SG, in addition to any tourist sim cards I pick up

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It sounds like you’re talking about the benefits of having both? The new iPhones have only eSIM which is currently a hurdle, especially for the ”tourist SIMs”. OTOH, I’m sure Telcos will shape up their support and iron out the major bugs rather quickly precisely because of this.

> It sounds like you’re talking about the benefits of having both?

physical sims make no contribution to any of their points.

> 2. if I get a tourist sim card at an airport

That sounds like it would be a physical sim, or am I incorrect?

They probably do mean getting a tourist eSIM at the airport.

iPhones are eSim only for a few years now.

Fwiw, I can't remember the last time I bought a physical sim at an airport. Airalo lets me buy an eSim at the departing airport, which means I've got cell data from the instant I arrive. They're not the only company offering this, and I'm sure I could min max and find a more cost optimized service, but it's done me well enough. Depending on the amount of international travel you do, and to where, however, US travellers may have a better time with a carrier like T-Mobile which include international data to a number of countries.

It's important to point out that few MVNO operators on T-Moble extend this international access.

>if I get a tourist sim card at an airport, I don't have to worry about taking out or losing my main sim

bold of you to assume we'll still have a sim card slots

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