5G almost everywhere since using eSIM

[WillKirk]

Since swapping from a physical SIM card in my iPhone 15 a few days ago, and instead using an eSIM, it appears that where I only got 4G in some areas such as my home, I now get 5G. I used to get 5G in town etc, so it wasn't that my SIM wasn't a 5G SIM, but I can't say I have even seen a 4G network since swapping.

Is this a benefit of an eSIM, a previous restriction on the physical SIM, or just coincidence that 5G has just been lit up for me everywhere I go like my own personal spotlight? 🙂

Any ideas? Thanks.

[Chris_B]

@WillKirk  using a eSIM or a sim has no difference to the network connection you receive.  The eSIM is just a on board electronic SIM card and all the information from your sim when you switched to the eSIM was transferred to it. 

[WillKirk]

Just as a quick follow up, someone marked @Chris_B 's answer as the solution, which I have just reversed because although it is a statement, it isn't a 'solution'. In this context, a solution would be a reasonable explanation for the sudden appearance of almost universal 5G coverage just from changing to an eSIM, not saying 'it won't make a difference'. Otherwise I would then have to open a new topic saying, okay if it doesn't make a difference, what does? Which really doesn't need to be a different post and can be part of this one, surely.

So the question remains, at the moment, unresolved as far the OP (myself) is concerned. What, in people's opinions, would be a reasonable reason for this? It's a benefit, a good thing, but I am still curious. (And having someone come along and randomly say my question has been solved when it isn't, isn't really that helpful.)

[Chris_B]

@WillKirk   there is no reason that you should receive a better signal with using an eSIM or a physical SIM card.  A eSIM is just a Sim card that’s built into the device. Your phone still uses the same aerial and connects to the same masts   There is no actual reason why you should receive a better signal whilst using a eSIM 

 this is going to go unresolved and there will be no solution because there should be no difference between a physical Sim and a eSIM. 

[WillKirk]

Okay, let it go unresolved then but 1) I am not just talking about eSIM vs SIM, just said it happened at the same time of the change "Is this a benefit of an eSIM, a previous restriction on the physical SIM, or just coincidence…?" perhaps it is a co-incidence, in which case "Any ideas?" - I didn't even put this in the category it is now in to do with SIMs, someone else did. I put it in the category for network coverage as this is what it is about. 2) There is no point in marking a post as 'resolved' that is not, so sure, let it be unresolved if it is unresolved.

Point here is that the question was about why I am suddenly getting no 4G coverage and only 5G coverage, the only change being from SIM to eSIM. The question was never 'what is the difference between the two'. So, by all means be all hung ho with the drilling down 'there is no difference' if you like, but there IS a difference. My iPhone is now picking up 5G everywhere I go, even in the middle of a field in the countryside, and not 4G - that is the difference. My question was, why would that be? Not, is eSIM the same as a SIM.

Perhaps someone does have a suggestion out there that would satisfy my curiosity… perhaps they would resolve this query. Either way, I am sorry, but telling me 'there is no difference' between eSIM and a SIM does not resolve my query, but thank you nonetheless for responding.

[bristolian · Accepted solution]

The SIM itself won't make any difference, but the act of reprovisioning your network profile onto a new IMSI, is a potential reason.

[WillKirk]

@bristolian That sounds plausible enough to me… it's an added benefit, obviously, was just curious as to the reason. Interesting, thank you 🙂