eSIM-enabled device shipments are now thought to approach 2 billion by 2025

eSIM shipments are now thought to be capable of growing from 384 million in 2018 to approximately 2 billion by 2025. These findings are part of a new report by Counterpoint Research. eSIMs - which are integrated into devices rather than being conventional swappable data-cards - are thought to grow as a market due to their applicability in and compatibility with certain devices.

eSIMs have several advantages over the interchangeable products most of us use today. They are thought to have a smaller footprint, and to be more secure as they are tamper-proof. On the other hand, they are also easier to re-program compared to 'normal' SIMs.

Therefore, they may be a better fit for devices including drones, notebooks of the more portable or convertible variety, wearables and routers. However, smartphones and industrial internet-of-things (IIoT) devices may make up the majority of shipments in the eSIM market over the next 6 years.

However, even though more eSIM phones may appear on the market during this time (mostly courtesy of Apple and Google, should some reports prove accurate), they will continue to be in the minority (22%) of these devices until 2025.

Hardware-based eSIMs are thought to retain the greater market share over the same time-frame. More 'virtual' eSIMs may take over thereafter. ARM, Infineon, ST Micro and Gemalto are thought to be prominent names in this market over the period studied.