- Pixel 10 will not have physical SIM -card slots, Google confirms
- Buyers can transfer ESIMs from Apple to Android and Vice Versa
- However, eSIM -Adoption is uneven and may pose a risk of unprepared travelers
Google has confirmed that eSims will replace physical SIM card slots in its new Pixel 10 -smartphone series.
Reports from Android Authority Requirements Google’s implementation can also support two-way transfers, which means users can transfer an eSIM from an Apple device to an Android device or vice versa.
For the time being, this change only seems to apply to US models, but is coming after Apple made a similar step with the iPhone 14, and now Google is following, further indicating that eSIMs are revolutionizing the industry in a significant way.
What does it mean for travelers?
ESIMS for International Travel has already become the go-to solution for many, and now Google’s latest feature suggests the beginning of a new era.
If larger companies like Apple and Google commit to ESIM-Kun devices and other tech giants such as NordVPN and IPVanish enter the ESIM market, it’s safe to say Esims have become the norm.
On iPhones, the process could be handled through the “Transfer to Android” option in settings, while Pixel 10 devices can rely on the Android Switch app, either by scanning a QR code or initiating a manual connection session.
Android Authority Also reports that the feature may only be supported in iOS 26, which is expected to be launched next to the iPhone 17 in September 2025. However, these details will remain speculative for now and we will have to wait for the official roll -out to see what applies.
“Going ESIM-Kun makes it faster and easier to connect to a network. You can download a plan of minutes without fucking with a small SIM card, which is a huge gain for convenience,” says Sarah McGarr CEO of SIM LOCAL.
For travelers, this shift means becoming comfortable with digital connection is no longer optional. When physical SIM slots disappear, it will be important to check for compatibility, understanding how to activate, transfer and control of eSIMs, to stay connected seamlessly across borders.
“Check the best local eSIM plans, choose the best deal, and be online in minutes. Google’s ESIM relocation will only make more people expect this kind of convenience, and it is up to the industry to make sure travelers can always find easy and affordable ways to keep in touch,” adds McGarr.
The biggest challenge for this revolution, however, is that adoption is uneven. The ability to use an eSIM does not only depend on owning a compatible device, it is also related to whether local carriers support the technology and what plans they offer.
Travelers must be prepared and examine carrier compatibility before flying and storing a global eSIM app as a backup.
“The ability to use an eSIM is not so much land dependent as it is device -dependent and network dependent. This means that a traveler can only land one place to find that their mobile networks do not yet support eSIM or that their plan options are limited. In these cases, people may end up paying more in roaming fees or having fewer choices than expected, “McGarr concludes.
