Mexico, Chile see eSIM surge while dual physical SIM use falls

In Mexico, a study by The Competitive Intelligence Unit (The CIU) found that 16.4% of smartphone users own devices with dual physical SIM slots, but only 3.2% keep both lines active—about 3.3 million people. The practice is concentrated among young, higher‑income users, who use the second line for coverage testing, separating work and personal calls, or promotional offers. The CIU expects eSIM adoption to replace most of these uses as operators expand eSIM availability, with devices such as the upcoming iPhone 17 expected to accelerate the shift.

A separate analysis focused on Chile notes that by 2026, 78% of new smartphones are expected to ship with eSIM technology, while roughly 45% of global users still rely on traditional removable SIM cards for compatibility reasons. eSIMs offer instant operator changes, multiple profiles, and are integrated into device hardware, whereas physical SIMs remain universal but are prone to loss or damage. The contrasting adoption rates illustrate a broader transition toward digital SIM solutions across Latin America.