Google is reportedly adding the ability to have more than one active connection on an eSIM chip to Android 13
Image from Google’s patent for MEP
Google could license its patent for use on iOS, macOS, and Windows
With MEP supporting active dual SIM support on a single eSIM element, manufacturers will see a reduction in the cost of materials needed to build a phone while at the same time freeing up some internal space that can be used to add additional hardware or a larger battery. Using multiple eSIMs takes up some of this free space.
Android 13 isn’t the only operating system that could support MEP. In its patent application, Google mentions iOS, macOS, and Windows. Reportedly, Google has been testing MEP support on some of its Pixel devices but could still decide to license required the intellectual property so that the technology could be used with the aforementioned operating systems.
Android 13 DP2 includes some APIs for MEP
If the use of MEP spreads and more carriers start support eSIM, we could see the eventual disappearance of physical SIM cards and the SIM tray. But that doesn’t seem to be something that we would expect to see in the near future.
Many smartphone users take SIM cards for granted, or aren’t sure why they are necessary. The “subscriber identity module” helps connect your phone to the carrier that you use.
