When contemplating the next wave in smartphone evolution, many might point to slimmer designs. Samsung has spearheaded this trend, with Apple's iPhone 17 Air poised to follow suit, likely inspiring domestic brands as well. Personally, I believe that extreme thinness should be balanced, as the trade-offs might not justify the gains, particularly regarding battery capacity. However, one transformation is undeniable: as phones get thinner and battery demands remain, traditional SIM cards will increasingly struggle for space.

To ensure seamless connectivity, eSIM emerges as a pivotal solution. While Samsung hasn't sparked major surprises in this realm (I personally believe Samsung lacks the clout to propel eSIM adoption in China), Apple is widely seen as a key catalyst. Recent online reports have significantly bolstered this notion's credibility.

Notably, China Unicom has officially announced that eSIM mobile phone services are in commercial testing, becoming the first major domestic carrier to confirm this development. While both "on-site" and "hall" processing options are offered, I speculate that "on-site" handling is tailored for specific scenarios, with "hall" processing being the norm for general cases. The lingering question is whether handsets require hardware upgrades to support eSIM. In my view, this seems inevitable.

This service is likely geared towards upcoming devices, at least initially. Current uncertainties stem from earlier reports claiming that the gradual restoration of eSIM services in China primarily targets the IoT and smart wearable sectors, temporarily excluding mobile phones. Nonetheless, industry insiders' statements merit scrutiny.

"Not involved for the time being" suggests potential future implementation but with an uncertain timeline. The duration of this interim could span months or even years, likely due to the complexity of related issues and extensive testing requirements. Additionally, operator interests complicate matters, leading to ambiguous statements from insiders.

Yet, prior leaks indicate that Apple isn't the sole driver. Leading domestic manufacturers, including Huawei, are also testing eSIM technology for their phones, indicating a shared ambition to embrace eSIM. Furthermore, China Unicom has unveiled an eSIM service page (currently inaccessible), hinting at a smooth path to eventual implementation.

As for the launch timeline, I predict it will likely materialize by year-end. How many of you will upgrade your phones because of this?