The new Google Pixel 10 lineup is arriving in the United States without a physical SIM card slot. If you’re picking one up in the US, the phone will rely entirely on an embedded SIM, or eSIM. At first, that might sound like a big adjustment, maybe even inconvenient. But in practice, it could mark the point where eSIM finally becomes the easier, more natural option for most people.
Key takeaways:
- Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, and Pixel 10 Pro XL in the US are eSIM-only.
- Apple made the same move with the iPhone 14 back in 2022.
- Major US carriers now let customers transfer eSIMs through apps or online portals.
- Removing the SIM tray allowed Google to add mmWave 5G components for faster speeds.
- eSIM technology could make setting up a new phone quicker and more secure.
For years, eSIM has been pitched as a convenience. In reality, it was often clunky. Switching phones or carriers sometimes meant calling customer support and waiting for someone to manually complete the transfer. It was hardly the simple, modern solution people expected.
That experience is changing. Verizon, T-Mobile, and AT&T have automated the transfer process, allowing customers to move their number to a new phone with just a few taps in an app or clicks on a website. The shift means less frustration, and for the first time, eSIM might start to feel like the upgrade it was always supposed to be.
Google had practical reasons for dropping the SIM tray too. The space saved inside the Pixel 10 was used for specialized hardware that supports millimeter-wave 5G. This high-speed network technology is widely used in the US but not as common elsewhere, which is why Pixel 10 models outside the US still include a SIM slot.
Security is another factor. Since eSIM is embedded directly in the phone’s hardware, it cannot be physically removed and inserted into another device. That makes it harder for criminals to carry out SIM swap scams, where a stolen number is used to access personal accounts.
Of course, the transition is not without its complications. International travelers may still find the experience more challenging than with a physical SIM. The old routine of buying a prepaid SIM card at the airport is no longer possible. Instead, travelers have to download a compatible eSIM from a local provider, often requiring Wi-Fi access. Even so, many travelers already use dedicated travel eSIM services, which can be cheaper and less stressful than paying roaming fees.
The Pixel 10’s US release feels like a turning point. As more manufacturers and carriers simplify the process, eSIM is becoming not just viable but preferable. The days of fumbling with a paperclip and a fingernail-sized card could finally be behind us. The goal is clear: make setting up a phone as routine as plugging in a USB-C charger.
FAQs
Q. What is an eSIM?
A. An eSIM is a digital version of a traditional SIM card. It is built directly into the phone’s hardware and stores your mobile plan information. You do not need to insert or remove a physical card to activate a network plan.
Q. Why are the US Pixel 10 phones eSIM-only?
A. Google made the US Pixel 10 models eSIM-only to save internal space. This allowed the company to include the necessary hardware for millimeter-wave (mmWave) 5G, a fast cellular network technology used by US carriers.
Q. Is it hard to switch from a physical SIM to an eSIM?
A. Switching has become much easier. Many major carriers in the US now allow customers to transfer their mobile plan to an eSIM using their app or website, which removes the need to visit a store or call customer support.
Q. Can I have two phone numbers on one Pixel 10?
A. Yes, Pixel 10 supports dual SIM functionality with eSIM. You can have two different mobile plans or phone numbers active on the same device at the same time.
Q. How does an eSIM help with phone security?
A. An eSIM cannot be removed from the phone like a physical SIM. This makes it more difficult for thieves to perform a SIM swap attack, which involves taking over your phone number to access personal accounts.
