In short: According to Juniper Research, eSIM connections will grow from 1.2 billion in 2025 to 4.9 billion in 2030, and Counterpoint Research predicts that close to 70% of mobile phones shipped in 2030 will already be eSIM or iSIM compatible. The physical card is slowly ceasing to be the norm.
Why everyone is now talking about "eSIM 2.0"
If you've been following the world of mobile connectivity for a while, you've probably come across the term "eSIM 2.0" in forums, smartphone comparisons, or manufacturer press releases. It's not a product you can buy tomorrow, nor an update that will suddenly arrive on your phone. It is, rather, a direction: the telecommunications industry has been working for years on technical specifications that make the digital SIM more flexible, faster to activate, and easier to manage across devices.
The underlying idea is simple to understand, even if the engineering behind it is not: the fewer manual steps a user needs to activate a line, the less friction there is, and less friction means more adoption. This logic has led operators, chip manufacturers, and the GSMA (the association that brings together mobile operators worldwide) to work together on common standards. The result of this joint work is what is colloquially grouped under the umbrella of "eSIM 2.0": improved profile management, more direct activation processes, and increasingly deeper integration of the connectivity chip within the device itself.
It is important to separate what is already a measurable reality from what is still an ongoing trend. What is a fact, and what you can verify today, is that eSIM already works on the vast majority of mid-range and high-end smartphones launched in recent years, and that activating a data line for travel no longer requires a physical card or going to a store. If you still don't know exactly how this technology works, it's worth starting with the basics: what an eSIM is and how it differs from a traditional SIM, before getting into the new features that come later.
iSIM: when the card disappears inside the processor
The next step in this evolution has its own name: iSIM, short for "integrated SIM." The difference with the current eSIM is, above all, a matter of the device's internal design. The eSIM that most phones carry today is a chip soldered to the motherboard, physically independent of the main processor, although it cannot be removed like a traditional SIM. The iSIM goes a step further: it integrates that identity module directly within the System-on-Chip, that is, within the same processor that manages the rest of the device's functions.
This integration is not an engineering whim. By eliminating a separate physical component, manufacturers gain internal space that can be allocated to the battery, camera, or any other component, and reduce mechanical failure points. iSIM is already a reality in some current devices, especially in the field of wearables and chips oriented to industrial connectivity, and everything indicates that it will gain importance throughout this decade as more processor manufacturers incorporate it as standard in their designs.
For the end-user, the difference between eSIM and iSIM is, in practice, invisible: the process of contracting a data plan, receiving the profile, and activating it does not change because the technology is a little more integrated internally. What does change is the type of devices that can carry it: thinner watches, connected glasses, tiny sensors... devices where every square millimeter of internal space counts. If you want to better understand how the digital profile installed on your device works, whatever the chip behind it, this explanation about what a virtual eSIM is can serve as a reference.
The SGP.32 standard: eSIM comes to watches, cars, and sensors
While iSIM advances in the hardware field, the GSMA has been working on another equally relevant front: taking eSIM beyond the smartphone. It has done so through a technical standard called SGP.32, specifically designed for Internet of Things (IoT) devices. This standard solves a very specific problem that until now hindered the adoption of mobile connectivity in "smaller" devices: many IoT devices do not have a screen or a simple way to scan a QR code to activate a line, so they needed different provisioning processes than those of a phone.
With SGP.32 standardized, the door is open for smartwatches, connected cars, security cameras, agricultural sensors, or logistical tracking devices to incorporate their own mobile connectivity in a much simpler way to manage at scale, both for the manufacturer and for the operator who then has to serve millions of devices spread around the world. It is, in a way, the missing piece of the eSIM ecosystem to stop being something that only lives on phones and begin to be part of everyday objects that until now depended on Wi-Fi or an indirect connection through another device.
For travelers, this move towards IoT may not seem directly relevant today, but it is worth keeping on the radar: the more manufacturers and operators build their infrastructure thinking of eSIM as the default standard, the faster the experience on smartphones becomes cheaper and more standardized, which is where the change is really noticeable when you're away from home.
The numbers: where eSIM adoption is headed
Beyond the technical specifications, what truly indicates the direction of this technology are the adoption forecasts from leading industry consultancies. And here, the numbers are, to say the least, eloquent. According to data from Juniper Research, active eSIM connections worldwide will increase from 1.2 billion in 2025 to 4.9 billion in 2030, meaning they will more than quadruple in five years. This is a clear sign that the physical SIM, while not disappearing overnight, is on its way to becoming the minority option.
This trend is also reflected on the terminal manufacturers' side. Counterpoint Research predicts that close to 70% of mobile phones shipped globally in 2030 will be compatible with eSIM or iSIM. In other words: in just over five years, most new smartphones manufactured worldwide will already have this technology integrated from the factory, compared to the current situation, where compatibility still varies considerably depending on the manufacturer, model, and sales region.
| Data Point | Figure | Source / Year |
|---|---|---|
| Active eSIM connections worldwide (2025) | 1.2 billion | Juniper Research |
| Projected active eSIM connections (2030) | 4.9 billion | Juniper Research |
| Mobile phones shipped globally compatible with eSIM/iSIM (2030) | ~70% of total | Counterpoint Research |
| GSMA standard for eSIM in IoT devices | SGP.32 (already published) | GSMA |
| iSIM: integration into the device's processor (SoC) | Already present in some current devices | Chip manufacturers / GSMA |
It is important to read these figures with discernment. The multiplication of eSIM connections does not mean that the physical SIM will disappear overnight: in many markets, in certain device ranges, and according to certain local regulations, the physical card will continue to have its place for quite some time. What these data clearly show is the direction of the wind: the entire industry, from chip manufacturers to operators, is investing in digital connectivity becoming the default path, not the exception.
What this means for you if you travel with an eSIM
All this technical evolution may sound abstract, but it has a very concrete translation for those who use or are considering using a travel eSIM. Here are some practical ideas that derive directly from where the sector is headed:
- You don't need to wait for iSIM or eSIM 2.0 to benefit. The eSIM technology that already exists today, used by millions of travelers, is fully functional: it activates in minutes, coexists with your usual line, and does not require removing any card. If your phone is compatible, you can already take advantage of it on your next trip.
- Check compatibility before leaving home. Not all models, even within the same brand, support eSIM depending on the market in which they were sold. It is worth checking in advance, especially if your phone is imported or an older model.
- The rise of eSIM in IoT is indirectly good news for travelers. The more manufacturers build their hardware with native digital connectivity in mind, the more mature and competitive the entire ecosystem becomes: more compatible chips, more operators with prepared infrastructure, and, over time, simpler activation processes also on smartphones.
- If your destination changes on the fly, eSIM is still the most agile option. It doesn't matter if you're going to Europe, the United States, or crossing several countries on the same trip: you can have profiles ready for different destinations and activate the one you need without having to find a physical store upon arrival.
- The comparison with traditional roaming remains the most useful starting point. Before deciding, it makes sense to fully understand the practical differences between using a travel eSIM and relying on your usual operator's roaming.
At PuraSIM, we already work with current eSIM technology to cover more than 200 destinations worldwide, with 24/7 support available via email and WhatsApp in case any questions arise during installation or travel. There's no need to wait for any future standard to travel connected from the first minute: the installation is a process completed in a few steps without the need to visit any physical store.
Towards an increasingly minority physical SIM
If anything is clear from Juniper Research and Counterpoint Research forecasts, it's that the industry's center of gravity is shifting. The physical SIM will not disappear tomorrow, but the projected growth of eSIM connections and the percentage of devices that will come factory-compatible in 2030 point in a clear direction: the removable card is ceasing to be the standard and is becoming, increasingly, one alternative among others.
This also makes sense from the point of view of phone manufacturers. Every physical component that can be removed from inside a device frees up space for battery, camera, or cooling, and reduces points of entry for dust or water. iSIM takes this logic a step further by integrating the module within the processor itself. It is no coincidence that this trend advances in parallel with the explosive growth of eSIM connections: they are two sides of the same transition.
For those who already travel with eSIM, none of this changes the experience overnight. But it does explain why it is increasingly rare to find a new mid-range or high-end smartphone without this technology, and why the question many travelers asked a few years ago ("Does my phone support eSIM?") is on its way to becoming a question with only one possible answer: yes, with punctual exceptions.
Frequently asked questions about the future of eSIM
What is the real difference between eSIM and iSIM?
An eSIM is an identity chip soldered to the device's motherboard, physically separate from the main processor. An iSIM integrates that same module within the System-on-Chip itself, that is, within the processor. For the user, the process of activating a data plan is identical in both cases; the difference is in the device's internal design, not in the user experience.
Do I need to wait for eSIM 2.0 or iSIM to travel with an eSIM?
No. The eSIM technology available today on most mid-range and high-end smartphones already allows you to activate a travel data line in minutes, without a physical card and without going to any store. Future improvements will be added progressively, but they are not a requirement for you to benefit from eSIM now.
Will all new mobile phones have eSIM or iSIM in the future?
According to Counterpoint Research, the forecast is that close to 70% of mobile phones shipped in 2030 will be compatible with eSIM or iSIM. This is a clear majority, but not all: there will still be models, especially in entry-level ranges or in certain markets, that will continue to use a physical SIM for some time to come.
What exactly is the GSMA's SGP.32 standard?
It is the technical specification with which the GSMA has standardized the use of eSIM in Internet of Things devices, such as connected watches, cars, or sensors. It solves the problem of activating a mobile line in devices that do not have a screen or a simple way to scan a QR code, and makes it easier for manufacturers and operators to manage these devices at scale.
Will the physical SIM disappear completely?
Not immediately. Juniper Research forecasts indicate that eSIM connections will grow from 1.2 billion in 2025 to 4.9 billion in 2030, suggesting that the physical card is on its way to becoming the minority option, although it is likely to continue to exist in certain devices and markets for quite some time.
Does my experience change if I buy a PuraSIM eSIM today?
You don't need any special device beyond a current eSIM-compatible smartphone. The purchase, installation, and activation process works the same regardless of whether your phone uses a traditional eSIM chip or, in more recent models, an iSIM-like integration: the user experience is the same.
Where can I learn how to install my first eSIM before a trip?
It's best to start with a step-by-step guide on how to install an eSIM, which explains the complete process from purchase to activation, without the need for prior technical knowledge.
Further reading
If this transition to eSIM interests you from a figures and trends perspective, you may also be interested in reviewing the roaming statistics of Spaniards abroad. And if what you are looking for is directly to resolve your next trip, you can consult the plans for eSIM for Europe, the eSIM for the United States, or, if you are returning to Spain from abroad, the eSIM for Spain.
