eSIMs & iSIMs Market: 2025-2030

Over the last three years, the eSIMs market has undergone several key milestones. In September XXXX, Apple announced the iPhone XX series as eSIM-only in the US, making it the first major smartphone Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) to offer eSIM-only models. In June XXXX, the GSMA released SGP.XX vX.X, its IoT eSIM specification - the stable, ready-to-deploy version. This year, in XXXX, Apple took its eSIM campaign further, launching the iPhone XX series as eSIM-only across XX countries. It also released a new smartphone, dubbed the iPhone Air, as an eSIM-only device worldwide. XXXX also marked the year Google entered the fray, releasing its Pixel XX series as eSIM-only in the US.

Apple's announcements in XXXX, and especially in XXXX, sent a clear message to operators worldwide to start preparing for an eSIM-only future. Operators have historically been wary of eSIMs, as they significantly enhance the ease with which consumers can switch network providers. They fear that such convenience will lead to high churn, especially toward mobile virtual network operators’ (MVNOs') more affordable plans. However, this also provides an opportunity for operators to innovate their services and offerings, such as offering extremely flexible data plans that give consumers by-the-gigabyte options. Juniper Research notes that operators must differentiate their services to capitalise on eSIM technology, as it provides the potential to expand their customer base through onboarding, activation, increased personalisation, and fully realised digital experiences.