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公開2024.11.21更新2024.11.21

eSIM is recommended for international travel! Here are 7 advantages in a nutshell.

When traveling abroad, smartphones are indispensable for gathering information on transportation, hotels, and restaurants. The use of "eSIM," which has been gaining popularity among international travelers in recent years, allows you to use your smartphone comfortably overseas without the hassle of signing a rental WiFi contract and carrying it around, or having to purchase and replace a SIM card locally. In this article, we will introduce the seven advantages of "eSIM," a new standard for overseas travel, in an easy-to-understand manner for first-time users!

Table of Contents

What is an eSIM?

An eSIM is a "body-integrated SIM" that is pre-embedded in the body of a smartphone.

Until now, the conventional wisdom in the telecommunications industry was that a physical SIM card was necessary for smartphone data communication. However, newly developed "eSIM-compatible smartphones" in recent years have a built-in IC chip that replaces the SIM card function.

This means that eSIM-enabled phones can be used to change carriers online and use overseas data communications without having to replace the SIM card. eSIM is a convenient and easy-to-use communication technology that can be called the "new normal for overseas travel.

eSIM is becoming increasingly popular.

eSIM, which allows users to change carriers and use overseas data communications online, is rapidly gaining popularity around the world, with many users starting to use it because of its convenience.

Apple, the company that manufactures and sells iPhones, is also making efforts to promote eSIM, and as proof, basically all iPhones released after September 2018 are eSIM compatible.

Japan's Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications is also actively promoting the spread of eSIM by establishing "Guidelines for the Promotion of eSIM Services" in 2021, and the trend of eSIM diffusion is expected to continue to progress.

Four Ways to Communicate with a Smartphone Overseas and Their Merits and Demerits

There are four main methods of smartphone communication overseas. This chapter explains the merits and demerits of each.

Overseas Roaming

｜How to use overseas data communications via a telecommunications carrier contracted in Japan.

Advantage: No need to sign a WiFi contract or exchange SIM cards

Disadvantages: Often expensive, limited number of countries, days, and data volume depending on the carrier

Rental WiFi

｜Rental WiFi router is a method to use local data communication by renting a WiFi router before departure.

Advantage: Many choices of supported countries

Disadvantages: Need to pick up/return at the airport, troublesome to charge and carry during the trip, risk of breakdown/loss

Local SIM card

｜To purchase a SIM card locally and use it.

Advantage: Relatively inexpensive in many cases

Disadvantages: Need to purchase in local language, risk of failure/loss when replacing SIM card

eSIM (Trifa)

｜How to use overseas data communication by using eSIM application

Advantages: Complete with one app, support for 195 countries worldwide, 24-hour Japanese chat support

Demerit: Cannot be used with smartphones that do not support eSIM

eSIM is superior to conventional communication methods in terms of "easy procedures," "lightness in carrying around," and "cost performance. eSIM is an innovative overseas smartphone communication method that users with eSIM compatible smartphones have "no reason not to choose.

Seven Advantages of Using an eSIM for International Travel

In this chapter, we will introduce the advantages of eSIM, the new standard for international travel, in a nutshell, along with what we have already mentioned.

(1) Low usage fees

eSIM" can be used at a lower cost than Wi-Fi routers. You can also purchase a plan for only the period necessary for your stay and use the line at a lower cost. Another advantage of eSIM is its flexibility; if your overseas travel schedule changes, you can immediately purchase an additional plan from your terminal.

(2) Easy application and activation procedures

eSIM" can be activated from the terminal via the Internet. Many eSIMs can be used on the same day after the activation procedure is completed, so you can prepare your Internet environment in time even just before your overseas trip.

(3) Same-day service is available from the local terminal

eSIM" allows you to open an eSIM terminal easily. Setup is possible even from overseas, as long as you are at an airport or other location with a WiFi environment. If you are too busy to pick up your SIM card in Japan, or if you have a sudden overseas trip, eSIM allows you to connect to the Internet anywhere with a single device.

(4)No need to receive and return telecommunication equipment

eSIM" can be used simply by installing it on a terminal, so there is no need to return it like rental Wi-Fi routers or some SIM cards for overseas use. Also, since an Internet connection can be established with just a terminal, there is no need to carry a router or mobile battery for the router. This allows you to enjoy your overseas travel with less luggage.

(5) No need to replace the SIM

eSIM" is a system that eliminates the need to replace the SIM card. There is no need for a small SIM card or SIM pin, so there is no risk of loss or damage.

(6) Easy switching across countries

With a conventional SIM card, when you move to a new country or region, you have to go to the trouble of replacing it with a corresponding SIM card. With an eSIM, however, an electronic SIM is programmed into the device, so you can use the Internet as soon as you select a country or region on the device.

(7) Not bound by restrictions on SIM card purchases

In Germany, due to anti-terrorism measures, since January 2017, the Telecommunications Act has made it mandatory to verify identity and register an address when purchasing a "prepaid SIM card". The advantage of "eSIM" is that you are not affected by such country-specific SIM card purchase regulations.

Disadvantages of eSIM

Although the eSIM has many advantages for international travelers, there are actually two important disadvantages. We will explain them in this section, so if you are considering using an eSIM, please check them out!

Local phone numbers do not work

Most eSIMs do not provide local phone numbers. Therefore, if you are sure that you need to make calls or send/receive SNS (short messages) using a local phone number, we recommend that you use the overseas calling service of your carrier in Japan or purchase a SIM card with a local phone number.

On the other hand, LINE and Instagram call functions can be used without any problems even with an overseas eSIM, so those who say, "I use LINE to make calls, so I don't have to worry about it," can use an eSIM with no worries.

If your smartphone does not support eSIM, you cannot use it.

Although eSIM is rapidly becoming popular both in Japan and overseas, some smartphones are not eSIM compatible, so be sure to check in advance whether your smartphone is eSIM compatible or not.

▼ eSIM-enabled iPhone handsets

・iPhoneXS, iPhoneXS Max, iPhoneXR
・iPhone11, iPhone11 Pro, iPhone11 Pro Max
・iPhone12 mini, iPhone12, iPhone12 Pro, iPhone12 Pro Max
・iPhone13 mini, iPhone13, iPhone13 Pro, iPhone13 Pro Max
・iPhone14, iPhone14 Pro, iPhone14 Pro Max,  iPhone14 Plus
・iPhone15, iPhone15 Pro, iPhone15 Pro Max,  iPhone15 Plus

▼ Android devices with eSIM support

・Google Pixel 4/4a/4 XL 以降 
・Xperia 10 III Lite 以降 
・HUAWEI P40 Pro 以降 
・Redmi Note 10T 以降

*Information as of February 1, 2024

How to check if a device is eSIM-enabled

Enter "*#06#" in the standard phone application, and if the display shows "device number", "EID number" and "barcode", the device is eSIM-enabled.

Procedures for using an eSIM when traveling abroad and when to switch

eSIM" can be easily installed simply by operating the terminal at hand.

Procedures for using an eSIM

(1) Select an eSIM provider that offers services in the country or region where you will be using the eSIM.

(2) Select a plan according to the country and period of stay, and acquire the eSIM data.

(3) Activate the eSIM you have obtained to complete the usage procedure!

Although it will be smoother if you complete the steps up to activation before your trip, you can also use the service abroad if you have a stable Internet connection.

As for the timing of the switchover, if you set up your eSIM as a mobile data communication SIM just before your trip, you will be able to catch the local signal and use the line immediately after your arrival.

If you are looking for an overseas eSIM for the first time, we recommend "trifa"!

Trifa is an eSIM application from Japan, and is the No. 1 eSIM application downloaded in Japan.

Its No. 1 attraction is the "ease of use" and "sense of security" of the app. After installing the app on your phone, all you have to do is follow the Japanese-language instructions. You can easily complete the overseas internet communication settings in as little as 3 minutes.

If you have any questions, Japanese chat support is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, so even those who are new to eSIM or unfamiliar with smartphone operation can use the service with peace of mind.

Furthermore, since the fees are "completely prepaid," you will never be charged more than you have paid before using the service. So, you don't have to worry about "I used too much overseas data, will I get a high bill later? You can enjoy your overseas trip comfortably and happily without such worries as "I might use too much data overseas and get a high bill later..."!

Thank you for reading this article to the end. We hope this article has answered some of your questions about eSIM.