Samsung has beaten Google in the number of physical SIM to eSIM conversions, according to a new report. The report, which was published by Counterpoint Research, found that Samsung accounted for 44% of all eSIM conversions in the fourth quarter of 2021, while Google accounted for just 20%. eSIM market share by manufacturer

The report’s findings are significant because they suggest that Samsung is making more progress in its efforts to transition users to eSIM technology. eSIM technology allows users to activate a mobile plan without having to insert a physical SIM card into their device. This can be convenient for users who travel frequently or who want to use multiple mobile plans on a single device.

Samsung Gains on Google in eSIM Market Share eSIM market share by manufacturer

Google has been a vocal proponent of eSIM technology, and it has been working to make it more widely available on its devices. However, the company has been slow to convert users to eSIM technology. The report’s findings suggest that Samsung is making more progress in this area than Google.

There are a few possible reasons why Samsung is beating Google in the number of physical SIM to eSIM conversions. One possibility is that Samsung is simply doing a better job of marketing eSIM technology to its users. Another possibility is that Samsung’s devices are more compatible with eSIM technology than Google’s devices. Finally, it’s also possible that Samsung is simply offering a better eSIM experience than Google.

Whatever the reason, the report’s findings are a setback for Google. The company has been working hard to make eSIM technology more widely available, but it’s clear that Samsung is making more progress in this area. If Google wants to remain competitive, it will need to do a better job of converting users to eSIM technology.

Samsung Leads eSIM Conversions with Larger Market Share

In addition to the report’s findings, there are a few other reasons why Samsung may be beating Google in the number of physical SIM to eSIM conversions. First, Samsung has a larger market share than Google. This means that Samsung has more potential customers who could be converted to eSIM. Second, Samsung has been offering eSIM support on its devices for longer than Google. This means that Samsung has had more time to build up a user base of eSIM users. Finally, Samsung’s eSIM implementation may be more user-friendly than Google’s. This could make it easier for users to switch to eSIM on Samsung devices.

In the US, Samsung already supported effortless eSIM transfers on Verizon, but One UI 5.1 broadened carrier support significantly. However, to transfer eSIMs, you need compatible Samsung devices, and both of them should be running One UI 5.1 or a newer build. The same prerequisites apply if you plan to convert a pSIM to an eSIM. Presently, the list of compatible devices is pretty short, comprising the Galaxy S21, S22, and S23 series, along with the Z Fold 3, Flip 3, Fold 4, and Flip 4, and the Note 20 models.

The option to initiate the transfer or conversion is located under Settings → Connections → SIM manager, but before you initiate the process, there are downsides you should know about. For starters, the list of compatible devices is short because they have to support at least One UI 5.1. We hope this OS requirement doesn’t change down the road because it would make it harder for people to switch to a new device if the older one stops receiving software updates.

Overall, the report’s findings suggest that Samsung is making more progress than Google in the transition to eSIM technology. This is a setback for Google, as the company has been working hard to make eSIM technology more widely available. If Google wants to remain competitive, it will need to do a better job of converting users to eSIM technology.

Here are some indicative prepaid eSIM card prices for Europe: eSIM and its benefits in Europe