Airtel introduces eSIM, know more about esim & which devices support it.

By Albert
Updated May 12, 2023

Airtel were the first telecom company in Uganda to launch Esim cards. Airtel Uganda’s Head of Data, Devices, and New product development, Joweria Nabakka (right) and Airtel Uganda Managing Director, Manoj Murali during the launch of eSIM (embedded SIM) at Airtel Uganda main offices on Clement Hill, Kampala.

Airtel Uganda announced the launch of eSIM (embedded SIM) – a digital SIM that enables customers to access the same functionality as someone using a physical SIM.

What is an eSIM?
An eSIM (embedded-SIM) is a programmable SIM card that is embedded directly into a smartphone, wearable and devices. This is the SIM for the next generation of connected consumer devices. eSIM is a global specification by the GSMA that enables remote SIM provisioning of any mobile device.

In simple terms; An eSIM is an industry-standard digital SIM that allows you to activate a cellular plan from your carrier without having to use a physical SIM. You can for example install up to eight or more eSIMs on an iPhone and use two phone numbers at the same time.
An eSIM does everything a removable SIM card does, but you can’t physically remove it — at least not without breaking open the phone and unsoldering the chip.

For instance, when traveling abroad using phones with removable SIM cards, you can swap to another carrier’s SIM card to get local coverage and avoid paying roaming fees from your primary carrier.
An eSIM is more secure than a physical SIM since it cannot be removed from a phone by thieves when it has been stolen.

Speaking at the launch of esim, Manoj Murali said that, with the eSIM,you can use two numbers without the need of having two handsets. “The pain of a damaged sim is no more,Most importantly, the eSIM is environmentally friendly,we are committed to reducing ewaste from our operations.

Benefits of eSIM

eSIM enables more seamless device setup experience, without the need to insert or replace a physical SIM card.
eSIM allows the use of multiple mobile numbers, both physical and eSIMs on one device. This reduces the hassle of going about with multiple devices.
It eliminates the frequent complaints of damaged or loss of SIM cards.
Frequent travelers will find the eSIM very convenient for switching network operators at a much easier rate.

Which devices support eSIM in 2023

Are you aware not only do mobile phones support eSIMs but also smartwatches and computers do? This is a list of devices that support eSIMs as now.

Apple devices that support eSIM?

iPhone 14 / Pro / Pro Max
iPhone 13 / Pro / Pro Max / Mini
iPhone 12 / Pro / Pro Max / Mini
iPhone 11 / Pro / Pro Max
iPhone XS / XS Max
iPhone XR
iPhone SE (2020 / 2022)
iPad Air (3rd & 4th Generation)
iPad Pro 11‑inch (1st / 2nd/ 3rd generation)
iPad Pro 12.9‑inch (3rd / 4th / 5th generation)
iPad (7th / 8th / 9th generation)
iPad Mini (5th / 6th generation)

Android devices support eSIM?
Samsung Devices
Samsung Galaxy S23
Samsung Galaxy S23+
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G
Samsung Galaxy S22+ 5G
Samsung Galaxy S22 5G
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G
Samsung Galaxy S20
Samsung Galaxy S20+
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 5G
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold2
Samsung Galaxy Fold
Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra
Samsung Galaxy Note 20+
Samsung Galaxy Note 20

eSIM smartwatches

Apple Watch S3, S4, S5
Apple Watch Nike, Apple Watch Nike+
Apple Watch Hermes
Apple Watch Edition

Samsung Smartwatches

Samsung Gear S2 Classic 3G,
Samsung Gear S3 Frontier LTE,
Samsung Galaxy Watch LTE

Motorola devices that support eSIM

Motorola Razr 2019

Huawei devices that support eSIM
Huawei P40
Huawei P40 Pro
Huawei P50 Pro
Huawei Mate 40 Pro

Google devices that support eSIM

Google Pixel 3 & 3 XL
Google Pixel 3a & 3a XL
Google Pixel 4 & 4 XL
Google Pixel 4A 5G
Google Pixel 2 & 2 XL
Google Pixel 5
Google Pixel 5a
Google Pixel 6
Google Pixel 6 Pro

Nuu devices that support eSIM
Nuu Mobile X5

Other Android devices that support eSIM

Gemini PDA
Rakuten Mini
Oppo Find X3 Pro
Oppo Reno 5A
Oppo Reno6 Pro 5G
Sony Xperia 10 III Lite

Laptops and tablets that support eSIM
ACER devices that support eSIM
ACER Swift 3
ACER Swift 7
Acer TravelMate P2
Acer TravelMate Spin P4
Acer TravelMate P6

ASUS devices that support eSIM

ASUS Mini Transformer T103HAF
ASUS NovaGo TP370QL
ASUS Vivobook Flip 14 TP401NA

LENOVO devices that support eSIM

Lenovo Yoga C630

Lenovo Miix 630

Lenovo Yoga 520

Lenovo Yoga 720 convertible laptops

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Titanium Yoga 2 in 1

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 9

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Fold

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Nano
Lenovo ThinkPad X12
Detachable Lenovo Flex 5G

Dell devices that support eSIM

Dell Latitude 7210 2-in-1
Dell Latitude 9410
Dell Latitude 7310
Dell Latitude 7410
Dell Latitude 9510
Dell Latitude 5410
Dell Latitude 5411
Dell Latitude 5511

HP devices that support eSIM

HP Spectre Folio 13
HP Elite x2 G2, G3
HP Envy x2
HP EliteBook G4, G5 Notebook PC
HP Probook G3, G4, G5 Notebook PC
HP Zbook G4, G5 Mobile Workstation
HP Zbook Studio G5
HP mt32 Mobile Thin Client

Google devices that support eSIM

Google Pixel 3 & 3 XL
Google Pixel 3a & 3a XL
Google Pixel 4 & 4 XL
Google Pixel 4A 5G
Google Pixel 2 & 2 XL
Google Pixel 5
Google Pixel 5a
Google Pixel 6
Google Pixel 6 Pro

Nuu devices that support eSIM
Nuu Mobile X5

Other Android devices that support eSIM

Gemini PDA
Rakuten Mini
Oppo Find X3 Pro
Oppo Reno 5A
Oppo Reno6 Pro 5G
Sony Xperia 10 III Lite

SAMSUNG tablets that support eSIM
Samsung Galaxy Book
Samsung Galaxy Book 2

Microsoft devices that support eSIM

Surface Go
Surface Go 2
Surface Pro X
Surface Pro 5 LTE Advanced
Surface Pro 7+
Surface Neo

Devices that do not support eSIM

iPhones from China and Hong Kong have dual physical sims but no eSIMs
Pixel 3a from countries in South East Asia
Samsung Galaxy S20 Hybrid Dual SIM – this is specifically the dual SIM version made for certain markets
Huawei P40 Pro+ has no eSIM support
LG, HTC, Xiaomi, Honor, RealMe, OnePlus, Vivo – no eSIM support yet

IMPORTANT NOTES:
Some Apple devices DO NOT have eSIM capability: iPhones from mainland China. iPhone devices from Hong Kong and Macao (except for iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 12 mini, iPhone SE 2020, and iPhone XS). Only iPad devices with Wi-Fi + Cellular features are supported.
Samsung devices that DO NOT have eSIM capability: – All Samsung S20 FE/S21 FE models – US versions of Samsung S20/S21 and Galaxy Z Flip 5G – USA and Hong Kong versions of Samsung Note 20 Ultra and Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 – Most Samsung devices purchased in South Korea do not support eSIMs.
Google Pixel devices that DO NOT have eSIM capability: – Pixel 3: Australia, Taiwan, and Japan; and those bought with service from any of the US or Canadian carriers other than Sprint and Google Fi. – Pixel 3a bought in South East Asia and with Verizon service.
eSIM support is only available in certain regions. Please contact your carrier or device manufacturer to confirm that your OnePlus device is eSIM-capable.
Currently, only Windows eSIM laptops are available, Apple is yet to release a MacBook with an eSIM.
The maximum number of eSIMs that can be installed on the device depends on your device model. This number ranges from 1 to 20. However, you are advised to have 3 at maximum in your device only, and only one eSIM can be active at one time.
Phones that qualify will see an EID Serial number.
Only devices with EID codes are eligible.
How to Activate an Esim with airtel Uganda.
Please dial *#06# on your smartphone to check for device compatibility. A Device should display an EID number. Visit any Airtel Service Centre where our seasoned customer care agents will walk you through the process of setting up your eSIM. Please click on Airtel Centre to locate the nearest Service Centre closest to you.
“To get an eSIM, visit any Airtel shop and our team will walk you through the process of setting up your eSIM using the QR code,” Joweria Nabakka (Airtel Uganda’s Head of Data, Devices, and New product development) said.