eSIM vendors in focus: exploring views and expectations on eSIM in smartphones
eSIM
This report is available to those subscribed to the Digital Consumer module.
During summer 2023, GSMA Intelligence conducted a survey of eSIM vendors to gather their views and expectations on the outlook for eSIM. Hearing from companies that are driving eSIM momentum is key to assess what lies ahead. The focus was on eSIM in smartphones – a topic that is receiving unprecedented interest following Apple’s launch of eSIM-only iPhones in the US in 2022.
This report examines the findings from the survey across multiple areas, including the transition to eSIM-only smartphones, the challenges currently hindering consumer adoption of eSIM in the smartphone market and the factors that have the greatest potential to stimulate OEMs to fully embrace eSIM at scale. eSIM vendors think that operators’ low push on eSIM is by far the greatest challenge currently hindering adoption of eSIM by smartphone users (65% said this is a big obstacle and 35% said it’s a medium obstacle).
The report also looks at timelines for greater availability of eSIM technology beyond flagship smartphones, and the timelines for the commercial launch of integrated eUICC.
Related research
Industry Checkpoint: consumer eSIM, Q3 2025
As the telecoms industry and wider digital ecosystem evolve at an unprecedented rate, regularly assessing major developments and their implications is more important than ever. This edition of the Industry Checkpoint series focuses on consumer eSIM, highlighting how the market has changed in the last six months and its implications.
Consumer eSIM: device and MNO service trackers, and adoption forecast to 2030
With eSIM adoption set to accelerate from 2026, this tracker provides data that can be used to formulate or adjust eSIM commercial strategies and offers.
Made for IoT Summit 2025: key takeaways from the show
Earlier this month, Onomondo hosted the Made for IoT Summit 2025, bringing together a mix of IoT developers, device OEMs, module makers and adopters from across the IoT ecosystem, under the motto 'IoT connectivity should never be a bottleneck'. Key themes discussed included the latest GSMA eSIM SGP.32 and SGP.31 specifications, how the ecosystem is getting ready for commercial launches and the impact to connectivity service providers and device makers. Non-terrestrial networks IoT was a topic of focus as well, with the event’s participants taking note of progress being made and expressing high expectations for further advancements in the low Earth orbit space that will help drive greater adoption and lower costs. Finally, a new flagship private wireless project was unveiled in detail: Onomondo’s implementation with Maersk, Nokia and a suite of other partners that will bring private wireless to 450 ships at sea.
Authors
How to access this report
Annual subscription: Subscribe to our research modules for comprehensive access to more than 200 reports per year.
Enquire about subscriptionContact our research team
Get in touch with us to find out more about our research topics and analysis.
Contact our research teamMedia
To cite our research, please see our citation policy in our Terms of Use, or contact our Media team for more information.
Learn moreRelated research
Industry Checkpoint: consumer eSIM, Q3 2025
As the telecoms industry and wider digital ecosystem evolve at an unprecedented rate, regularly assessing major developments and their implications is more important than ever. This edition of the Industry Checkpoint series focuses on consumer eSIM, highlighting how the market has changed in the last six months and its implications.
Consumer eSIM: device and MNO service trackers, and adoption forecast to 2030
With eSIM adoption set to accelerate from 2026, this tracker provides data that can be used to formulate or adjust eSIM commercial strategies and offers.
Made for IoT Summit 2025: key takeaways from the show
Earlier this month, Onomondo hosted the Made for IoT Summit 2025, bringing together a mix of IoT developers, device OEMs, module makers and adopters from across the IoT ecosystem, under the motto 'IoT connectivity should never be a bottleneck'. Key themes discussed included the latest GSMA eSIM SGP.32 and SGP.31 specifications, how the ecosystem is getting ready for commercial launches and the impact to connectivity service providers and device makers. Non-terrestrial networks IoT was a topic of focus as well, with the event’s participants taking note of progress being made and expressing high expectations for further advancements in the low Earth orbit space that will help drive greater adoption and lower costs. Finally, a new flagship private wireless project was unveiled in detail: Onomondo’s implementation with Maersk, Nokia and a suite of other partners that will bring private wireless to 450 ships at sea.
- 200 reports a year
- 50 million data points
- Over 350 metrics