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Esim Data Speed compared to Physical

Thenewuser
Investigator
Investigator

‎18-10-2025 07:38 AM

Hello,

I recently received a contract physical SIM card and conducted a speed test which showed a consistent 360mbps connection.

However, a few minutes later I changed the SIM to eSIM in my phone settings and the signal strength dropped to one bar (occasionally two) with inconsistent speeds ranging from 10mbps to 60mbps. I have attempted to reset the phone, the settings and toggle the airplane mode.

Could you please advise how to resolve this issue?

Additional information: I have switched between 4G and 5G myself and the speed results are the same. The SIM is consistently on 5G and I have tried all the modes in the iPhone settings including ‘Allow more data on 5G’ and ‘5G standalone’.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

0 Helpful
4 REPLIES 4
Chris_B
EE Community Star
EE Community Star

‎18-10-2025 07:46 AM

@Thenewuser     There should be no difference.   And nothing can be done to make the results the same between the physical sim and the eSIM as there should be no difference.    

All you’ve done is move the physical sim information to the device onboard electronic sim.  It’s the same phone same antenna.  

Just out of curiosity have you tried just switching it off/on again? 

To contact EE Customer Services dial 150 From your EE mobile or 0800 956 6000 from any other phone.
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Thenewuser
Investigator
Investigator
In response to Chris_B

‎18-10-2025 07:49 AM - edited ‎18-10-2025 07:52 AM

Of course, I’ve tried that. If there were no difference (which I know shouldn’t be), why would I waste my and everyone else’s time here? Same location, same phone, different speeds!

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Thenewuser
Investigator
Investigator

‎18-10-2025 08:22 AM - edited ‎18-10-2025 08:24 AM

IMG_0034.jpeg

Both EE, the one on the Top is the Primary (Esim), the other one is physical. 

Just to mention, i have turned the secondary line on and off just to see if it makes any difference, it didn’t. 

0 Helpful
bristolian
EE Community Star
EE Community Star

‎18-10-2025 09:33 AM

@Thenewuser wrote:

However, a few minutes later I changed the SIM to eSIM in my phone settings and the signal strength dropped to one bar (occasionally two) with inconsistent speeds ranging from 10mbps to 60mbps.

You need to do a direct comparison of the serving cells & radio carriers, for this to have validity. On-screen bars are at best a basic guide.

Compare the eNB-ID & EARFCN to be sure the two setups are operating like-for-like. This will require some basic understanding of the radio interface.

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