The electronic SIM is likely the future for GSM-based smartphones. The ability to immediately transfer service from one handset to another without having to carry a SIM card, which may or may not fit in another device properly, is one of the selling points for the upcoming technology. The tech won't likely be available for another year, but both Samsung and Apple have agreed to implement the tech in future products.
The GSMA, the group responsible for supporting the GSM standard, are confident e-SIM will catch on with the industry as a whole.
"We have got everyone back on one point, with Apple and Samsung agreeing to be part of that specification. We have been working with them and others to create an industry solution for machines and will agree a solution for consumer electronics."
The e-SIM functions similar to Apple's SIM tech used in the iPad Air 2, where you can switch data carriers while keeping your current iPad. Using e-SIM will also remove the SIM slots in phones, creating just a little extra space in devices for other components.
If you're wondering what devices might carry e-SIM, it won't be in the upcoming Samsung Galaxy A8 or the next iPhone, given the timeline required to complete the technology. The GSMA's inclusion of other OEMs in its statement gives reason to believe that Windows 10 Mobile devices could also one day adopt the new standard.
Via: Android Central
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