Apple and Samsung are reportedly in talks to replace the traditional, tangible SIM card with the E-SIM, allowing users to switch between carriers easily. And the iPhone 6S series might be among the first smartphones to carry it.
According to The Next Web, Apple and Samsung are discussing with GSM Association about the implementation of the E-SIM or embedded SIM in their future smartphones, eventually phasing out the tangible SIM card. GSMA is the association behind the telephone system used by carriers like AT&T, T-Mobile and other global carriers.
The E-SIM's main feature is the instant switching from one cellphone carrier to another, which promises convenience to users, especially those who travel. In contrast, the traditional SIM only works with a particular network.
This deviation from the traditional use of SIM card was seen with the iPad Air 2, which carried Apple's own SIM card that lets users switch carriers without loading a new SIM onto a device.
While Apple is unlikely to drop its own SIM just yet, tech enthusiasts believe it will support the E-SIM, which might be featured in the iPhone 6S series, Value Walk reported. This seems logical or Apple would not be discussing the E-SIM standard with GSMA.
Apart from that, many big carriers, including AT&T, Vodafone, Hutchison Whampoa, Deutsche Telekom, Orange, and Telefónica, are expected to support E-SIM. In fact, GSMA have gotten majority of the operators to take part in the "end-to-end remote SIM solution for consumer devices," a GSMA official said
GSMA now plans to start E-SIM's development phase once it finalizes its technical architecture. The E-SIM will be available by 2016, but the association did not specify when exactly.