eSIM

A digital SIM built into the phone. You add a plan by scanning a QR code instead of inserting a card.

An eSIM is a SIM chip built into the phone. You activate a plan by scanning a QR code or through your carrier's app. Some models (for example US iPhones since 2022) are eSIM-only with no SIM tray; others take a physical nano-SIM and an eSIM.

Also called: nano-sim, dual sim, sim card

More terms

AC charging (kW)Charging from a home wallbox or public AC post. Limited by the car's onboard charger.Launch coloursThe colour options the maker announced at launch. Some colours are limited to certain stores or markets.LCDA screen with a backlight behind liquid crystals. Usually cheaper than OLED; blacks look greyer.VRAM (video memory)Memory on the graphics card for textures and frames. More VRAM helps at high resolution and with AI models.CPUThe central processor: runs apps and the system. Phones use several cores of different sizes.Zynverse ScoreZynverse's 0–100 spec score with a published formula. It measures hardware on paper — it is not a review.

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