this post was submitted on 22 Aug 2023
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Google Pixel

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https://gizmodo.com/google-s-pixel-8-sim-slot-esim-only-iphone-1850759671

What happened to daring to be different? What happened to having options? What happened to creativity?

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[–] Prethoryn@lemmy.world 7 points 1 year ago (4 children)

Oh, look more Lemmy users not understanding security, again. All because they hate big Apple and change because Apple did something is bad.

I am convinced Lemmy users are more prone to let their bias get in the way of actually understanding the benefits of this change and the reason this is going away.

If you want to educate yourself.

https://darknetdiaries.com/transcript/118/

If you want a summary because you don't want to listen to a podcast or read the transcript of a podcast. There is a lot of theft occurring at the SIM card level in phones. This change is a bigger benefit than it is a negative. Is it annoying? Sure? Does it change how the phone functions? No.

Most phones can't dual SIM, and phones that do typically have issues. I am convinced this will quite literally not affect any of you, and if anything it protects the average consumer.

Pixel and iPhone have been doing eSIM for a while and I personally use a Google Fi number and First Net number. If you are wondering how the number transfer process will work then here is another article about how that is going to be handled: https://www.droid-life.com/2023/08/22/first-look-at-androids-native-esim-transfer-tool/

This means no one can just take your SIM card. They need to fully get into your phone. If you are worried about number transfer from telecom company to telecom company then you should know that is also already being handled and both Verizon and AT&T have implemented this change to their systems. You just transfer the number like normal and the systems generate an eSIM for you.

This is a win for security of your phone, you, and for your number.

[–] dog_@lemmy.world 4 points 1 year ago

While you do have great points, I'd personally rather have the option to have a SIM card than just having eSIM. Sure, there may be a huge security benefit, but again, i'd rather have the option to do so.

[–] Dark_Arc@social.packetloss.gg 2 points 1 year ago

NGL, I went into this expecting it to be like the headphone jack thing... But you make a good point

[–] emax_gomax@lemmy.world 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Main argument is probably who actually supports esim and will people check that before buying a phone expecting it to work like any other phone they've ever owned. Good on the US for being ahead of the curve and having more providers support esim, but this is an international device and looks like support is piss poor everywhere else https://support.apple.com/en-gb/HT209096 including in the UK where I am, my current provider doesn't support esim at all so I'll have to switch if I want one.

End or the day I think it's really a matter of what is simpler for consumers. I agree based on all your points esim is better, but given physical sims are a standard and probably will be for years to come it's absurd to remove support for them in flagship phones and just expect people and providers to switch to one that supports it.

[–] Prethoryn@lemmy.world 1 points 1 year ago

Well, when Google jumps in the wagon and makes Android 14 support eSIM and Apple being one of the largest companies also does it. I would imagine others will as well. This kind of thing forces your carrier to finally get with the program and start supporting it that being said. There should be more concern that a phone manufacturer and telecom company aren't changing for the future and that future makes your life more secure.

[–] couragethebravedog@lemmy.world -5 points 1 year ago (3 children)

It seems like the people that left Reddit for lemmy are mostly super biased in some way and highly argumentative. No one here is willing to have a discussion and recognize valid points from the other person, even if your opinion differs.

[–] dog_@lemmy.world 3 points 1 year ago

I recognize valid points. I just don't agree with them.

[–] Prethoryn@lemmy.world 2 points 1 year ago (2 children)

When it comes to this change I have personally not seen a valid point. The argument is being compared to the loss of battery swapping. These are not comparable in anyway is the issue. If you want to argue that you should be able to swap batteries in phones then I agree you should be able to.

However, eSIM versus physical SIM is an actual security advantage and a good change and the methods we will use to transfer them is all that will be different. The podcast transcript above is a good source for understanding why this is fundamentally different. Losing the ability to swap a battery sucks. However, there will be ways to swap a SIM while still keeping the end user safe and honestly even safer and it doesn't change how a SIM functions for your use of the phone. You could still swap a battery and an eSIM would literally not make a difference. The point is that you are not losing anything with no physical SIM your freedom to what you want with your phone hasn't changed in the same way that you can't replace your own battery because and eSIM can't be stolen or lost the same way a physical SIM.

I think Lemmy users are absolutely far more biased than they think and I have leaned in the few months I have been here that often times they just stick their way of thinking to something without even asking why this kind of change could be a good thing.

I have also found that Lemmy users don't know shit about security and privacy like they think they do. Lemmy as an app being the biggest example.

[–] dog_@lemmy.world 4 points 1 year ago

I know I'm biased when it comes to a lot of things, but I have devices that can never support eSIM and as those devices could be used as a device if my main phone ever breaks, I'd be SOL if I had an eSIM. Sure, you want to keep them safe. Why not just put the majority of phone users on eSIM and have the SIM card for people who would rather have that instead?

[–] couragethebravedog@lemmy.world -1 points 1 year ago

I 100% agree with you on eSim usage. Like you said, the only thing that changes for the user is how we transfer the SIM to the new device. But we also get the added benefit of better security. I love darknet diaries btw. Anyone that works in cyber or is considering a career in it should check it out for sure.

[–] DrHeckel@lemmy.world 0 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Welcome to the Internet bucko!

[–] couragethebravedog@lemmy.world 0 points 1 year ago (1 children)

It's pretty crazy you can have more meaningful conversations in forums on the dark web than here.

[–] kilgore_trout@feddit.it 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Dread, want another one?