Google Pixel 3 to get eSIM service with Jio, Airtel
Google has announced to bring eSIM support on its latest Pixel 3 flagship in India via Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel. The tech giant has also expanded its wireless service to several countries including the US, UK, and Germany. Google first debuted the eSIM service on last year's Pixel 2 with its Project Fi network (now called Google Fi). Here are the finer details.
eSIM on Pixel 3 to arrive in the "coming months"
"Sprint in the US, 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," said Kerrie Lenhart Hogan, Director, Partnerships at Google. In Germany, eSIM service on Pixel 3 will soon be offered by Deutsche Telekom and Vodafone.
Understanding eSIMs
An eSIM is a tiny, re-programmable, un-removable SIM card that is embedded into a device. The transition from physical SIMs to eSIM comes mainly due to advantages the latter technology offers. Firstly, eSIMs don't require a separate SIM slot, making it favorable in smaller gadgets like smartwatches. Secondly, it allows users to remotely change plans or switch carriers without having to swap physical SIMs
Google is creating a program for OEMs to use eSIMs
While the eSIM technology is beneficial for its form factor and the ease of carrier portability, it also helps build an ecosystem. Users can connect eSIM-compatible devices to form a robust Google ecosystem comprising Android smartphones, Chromebooks and Wear OS smartwatches. And to enable a "consistent and simple" ecosystem, Google is creating "a programme that allows Android device makers to build eSIM-capable smartphones."
Meanwhile, here's recalling the Pixel 3 flagships
Google Pixel 3 and 3 XL feature 5.5-inch and 6.3-inch OLED displays, respectively. Both phones come with Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 processor, 4GB RAM, 64GB/128GB storage and run Android Pie 9 out-of-the-box. Further, both flagships pack a 2,915mAh battery, support 18W fast charging and Qi wireless charging standard. In India, Pixel 3 and 3 XL start at Rs. 71, 000 and Rs. 83,000, respectively.
Pixel 3, Pixel 3 XL: Camera specs
On the back, both phones sport a single 12.2-MP sensor with dual-pixel technology, an f/1.8 aperture, OIS+EIS and in-built spectral + flicker sensor. Up front, both the phones have an 8-MP (f/1.8) wide-angle camera and an 8-MP (f/2.2) telephoto camera.
