eSIM vendors in focus: exploring views and expectations on eSIM in smartphones

During summer 2023, GSMA Intelligence conducted a survey of eSIM vendors to gather their views and expectations on the outlook for eSIM. Hearing from companies that are driving eSIM momentum is key to assess what lies ahead. The focus was on eSIM in smartphones – a topic that is receiving unprecedented interest following Apple’s launch of eSIM-only iPhones in the US in 2022.

This report examines the findings from the survey across multiple areas, including the transition to eSIM-only smartphones, the challenges currently hindering consumer adoption of eSIM in the smartphone market and the factors that have the greatest potential to stimulate OEMs to fully embrace eSIM at scale. eSIM vendors think that operators’ low push on eSIM is by far the greatest challenge currently hindering adoption of eSIM by smartphone users (65% said this is a big obstacle and 35% said it’s a medium obstacle).

The report also looks at timelines for greater availability of eSIM technology beyond flagship smartphones, and the timelines for the commercial launch of integrated eUICC.