GL.iNet Physical eSIM is a standard SIM card that includes an embedded eSIM chip. This combination allows it to offer the features of both traditional SIM cards and eSIM technology.
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SIM CARD => traditional sim card (removable but can't modify card's profile)
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eSIM => embedded sim (non-removable but can modify card's profile)
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Physical eSIM => traditional sim card with eSIM function (removable and can modify card's profile)
SIM Card: This is the traditional SIM card that consumers commonly use. It typically comes in a multi-size format, including Standard SIM, Micro-SIM, and Nano-SIM. These cards are removable and can be easily swapped, but you cannot modify the card's profile without going through the carrier.
eSIM: This refers to an embedded SIM that is soldered into the device and cannot be removed. Consumers must purchase an eSIM profile plan to write onto this chip, and older devices without eSIM functionality cannot utilize it.
Physical eSIM: This is GL.iNet's innovation, integrating an eSIM chip into a standard SIM card format. Consumers can insert this card into their router devices like a traditional SIM card, while also benefiting from the flexibility of eSIM technology. This means users can easily purchase and modify esim profile(data plans) as needed.
What do "Profile" and "SIM Profile" mean?
In traditional SIM cards, the carrier preloads certain configuration data that’s required for network authentication when connecting to the carrier’s network. This data is referred to as the "profile," which consumers might simply understand as their phone number. On traditional SIM cards, only the carrier can write or delete this information, and users have no control over it.
However, in the eSIM world, consumers can purchase this profile from a carrier and download it to their eSIM. What’s more, eSIMs can store multiple profiles, allowing consumers to easily switch between carriers or use multiple networks. In the context of eSIM, this configuration data is called the "eSIM profile."