Google Pixel 2 was the first major smartphone launched with eSIM
Google Pixel 3 costs Rs 71,000 in India for the 64GB model, and up to Rs 80,000 for the 128GB storage variant.
Google announced on Tuesday it’s expanding expanding eSIM support to more carriers around the world. The eSIM wireless service on Google Pixel 3 smartphone with be available in India with Reliance Jio and Airtel as telecom carriers.
“Sprint in the U.S., EE in the UK, Airtel and Reliance Jio in India, and Truphone and Gigsky in various countries will also roll out eSIM support for Pixel 3 in the coming months,” Kerrie Lenhart Hogan, Director, Partnerships at Google, said in a statement.
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Google Pixel 2 was the first major smartphone with eSIM, a digitally embedded SIM card (not a physical one) that lets you instantly connect to a carrier network. With eSIM, Pixel 2 and 3 users can connect across devices in the Google ecosystem — from Android smartphones to Chromebooks to Wear OS smartwatches.
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“If you’re in the U.S. and would like to purchase a phone that has eSIM, head over to Google Fi or the Google Store. If you’re in Germany, look out for the ability to purchase Pixel 3 with eSIM functionality from Deutsche Telekom and Vodafone soon,” said the statement.
Google is also creating a program that allows Android device makers to build eSIM-capable smartphones. “We look forward to continuing our work with our partners on the potential benefits of eSIM—whether that’s getting you connected to a phone, watch, tablet, or laptop—in the future,” Hogan said in the statement.
Google Pixel 3 was launched in October. It costs Rs 71,000 in India for the 64GB model, and up to Rs 80,000 for the 128GB storage variant. Pixel 3 XL prizes for 64GB and 128GB variants are Rs 83,000 and up to Rs 92,000. respectively.
In September, Apple too introduced eSIM functionality as it brought dual SIM facility to its smartphones for the first time. The tech giant launched three iPhones — iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR — on September 12, and all three support this feature.
In India, eSIM is already being used with Apple Watch Series 3. Airtel and Reliance Jio have been supporting eSIM for Apple Watch 3 with the help of a special cellular service.
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