Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the emerging trend of eSIM technology in the smartphone industry, highlighting the efforts of major manufacturers like Huawei and Apple to adopt this technology, as well as the regulatory and operational challenges that may affect its implementation in mobile devices [2][4][16]. Group 1: eSIM Technology Overview - Huawei is set to launch a new foldable smartphone that supports eSIM, potentially becoming the first commercially available eSIM smartphone in China [2][7]. - OPPO plans to release its first batch of eSIM-enabled smartphones by the end of this year [3][8]. - eSIM technology allows for the embedding of SIM cards directly into device chips, eliminating the need for physical SIM cards and saving internal space in devices [3][4]. Group 2: Industry Adoption and Trends - Apple has been a pioneer in eSIM technology, having submitted a patent for it in 2011 and first implementing it in the iPad Air 2 [5]. - The upcoming iPhone 17 Air is expected to feature a design that eliminates the physical SIM card slot entirely [6]. - Other manufacturers, including Xiaomi, have also begun to adopt eSIM technology, with Xiaomi launching its first eSIM-enabled device in overseas markets earlier this year [8]. Group 3: Regulatory Environment and Challenges - The eSIM business was previously suspended in 2023 due to security risks, but major Chinese telecom operators like China Mobile and China Unicom have resumed eSIM services, primarily targeting IoT and wearable devices [4][12][14]. - Analysts indicate that the future of eSIM in smartphones will largely depend on regulatory policies and the willingness of telecom operators to support this technology [16]. - The increase in global eSIM service availability is significant, with the number of countries offering eSIM services rising from 24 in 2018 to an expected 123 by mid-2024 [9]. Group 4: Market Projections - GSMA predicts that by the end of 2025, there will be approximately 1 billion eSIM-enabled smartphones globally, with this number expected to grow to 6.9 billion by 2030, representing three-quarters of all smartphone connections [10].